FA play down Chelsea 'breakaway' report

The Football Association today insisted they had received “no indication” that Chelsea are considering a breakaway from the national body, as has been reported.

The Blues’ business affairs director Paul Smith appeared to suggest at the Soccerex event in Dubai that clubs would eventually wield more power than the bodies set up to govern them.

He added that club brands would one day be the dominant driving force in the sport.

However, the FA made it clear that nothing has been communicated to them by the London club or the Premier League that Chelsea plan to lead a breakaway of top-flight clubs.

“We are very surprised at this story as we have not received any indication that such initiatives may be under discussion,” an FA spokesman told the Press Association.

“We have received assurances from the Premier League that this story does not represent their position.”

Smith had told the Mail On Sunday: “We’re seeing an inevitable drift towards the power of the clubs. We’re seeing an orientation towards clubs’ brands rather than national associations or teams.”