Chelsea Fined £26.7m by UEFA over Transfer Spending Breach

Chelsea Football Club faced significant financial scrutiny from UEFA after breaching financial rules, resulting in a £26.7 million fine and the threat of an additional £51.2 million if they fail to comply over the next four years. To meet UEFA's financial regulations and register new signings for the Champions League, Chelsea adopted a strategy of balancing their spending with substantial player sales, generating £314 million in outgoing transfer fees against £296 million spent on new players, resulting in a near break-even net spend. Their Champions League squad was approved by UEFA after meeting the required financial criteria, although notable new signing Facundo Buonanotte was excluded from the squad, a decision that surprised fans given his potential role in the team. The club's maneuvering, including rescinding a loan deal for Nicolas Jackson due to an injury to Liam Delap, highlights their efforts to maintain compliance while managing squad needs. Chelsea's management under Enzo Maresca is focused on balancing financial controls with competitive ambitions, having sold over £750 million worth of players in recent windows to offset their high transfer expenditures. UEFA's approval allows Chelsea to compete in the Champions League, with the possibility to make squad changes mid-season as they seek to progress in the competition.