Chelsea points deduction: Keith Wyness suggests new twist in controversy
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted there is “a long way to go” before Chelsea face a possible punishment for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested the Blues may escape a potential points deduction due to the Premier League rules being “not fit for purpose”.
Chelsea announced a loss of £90million in their latest 2022-23 accounts, yet seemingly avoided a Profitability and Sustainability Rule (PSR) breach by selling two hotels to a sister company for £76.5million.
Football Insider revealed last month (18 April) that the deal is still under investigation by the Premier League as to whether the transaction is deemed “fair market value”.
The move has proved controversial, with finance guru Kieran Maguire telling Football Insider (20 April) that Chelsea have “made a mockery” of top-flight rules.
Chelsea hotel controversy not clear cut as Wyness issues points deduction verdict
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I think there’s a long way to go in this case.
“The sale of the two hotels are obviously the key thing which has given them headroom.
“I’m still unclear as to whether this has been approved as a liable situation by the Premier League.
“That’ll take some time to be clarified.
“I don’t know what other property assets they may want to sell next year to ensure they comply.
“I’ve always said that Todd Boehly and his team are very bright in the private equity world, they’ve got some great young guys working for them.
“Whether they’ve properly understood the football rules with the sale of the two hotels, I don’t know.
“They may have had something in the back pocket that most people weren’t aware of.
“We’ll have to wait and see. We’re going into unchartered territory, another grey area – and the rules written by the Premier League are proving to be not fit for purpose.”
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