Chelsea deny Abramovich 'controls' CSKA Moscow

Chelsea have issued a statement denying owner Roman Abramovich has any controlling interest in Champions League group rivals CSKA Moscow.

UEFA are looking into CSKA’s £30m (€44.6m) three-year sponsorship deal with Sibneft, the Russian oil giant in which Chelsea owner Abramovich holds the majority shareholding.

UEFA rules forbid any person holding a controlling interest in two clubs competing in the same competition. The two clubs were yesterday paired in the draw for the Champions League group stages but UEFA will not allow both to take part if regulations have been broken.

Chelsea however deny there is any conflict of interest.

“Chelsea is certain that UEFA and any other clubs in the Champions League should be completely unconcerned by this matter,” the statement read.

“The situation is very clear. Mr Abramovich is the owner of Chelsea Football Club while Sibneft, a company in which he is one of many shareholders is the shirt sponsor of CSKA Moscow.

“Mr Abramovich has no equity stake or any direct financial interest in CSKA.”

Abramovich is a close friend of CSKA president Yevgeny Giner and was a guest in his personal VIP box in Moscow on two occasions earlier this year.

UEFA will now decide whether Abramovich’s links with CSKA are against current regulations.

Communications director William Gaillard said: “We are going to look into it and see whether there is a controlling interest by Mr Abramovich with two teams in the same group.

“We have to find out whether it is a controlling interest or not. We may already have the facts to decide to dismiss it as a problem but it has to be looked into thoroughly.

“If it was found that Mr Abramovich had a controlling interest in CSKA Moscow and Chelsea they could not both take part in the competition. He would have to decide which team took part.

“We have to have this transparency under EU competition laws and we will carry out the necessary checks immediately.”