Chelsea's Kenyon says EU regulation not needed in U.K. soccer
French sports minister Bernard Laporte last week said foreign ownership in the Premier League goes against the spirit of sport. He wants the EU to address dominance of the Champions League by English clubs, which have supplied five finalists in the past four years.
Laporte didn't specify what form the intervention would take, amid media reports it could mean a pan-European sports super-regulator. Kenyon, whose club is owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, doesn't see the need.
"Major football leagues and clubs feel the addition of regulation domestically is not required," he said Monday at a news conference to announce a four-year sponsorship extension with Thomas Cook Group Plc as the west London team's official travel partner. "We've got a great product, we are well regulated. In the end, we are well run."
Abramovich had put about 560 million pounds ($840 million) into Chelsea since acquiring the club in 2003 and has helped it become one of the best-known teams in the world. Under his ownership, the Blues have enjoyed the most successful period in their history, winning back-to-back league titles and reaching the Champions League final last season.
Chelsea's debt has come from interest-free funds from Abramovich whose wealth was estimated at 11.7 billion pounds by the Sunday Times in April and Kenyon says that sets the club apart from others.
"Our debt is different because its internal, not external," he said. "We're different from other clubs."
Still, he feels the sport is not exempt from the global economic slowdown.
"We're entering a different world of finances," Kenyon said. "I think we've got challenges ahead of us. We have to realize football is not immune to what's going on in the world."
Recent comments
Soccer is king. Move over wannabees.
Me too | Dec. 1, 2008 at 2:25 p.m.
Thanks.
I care | Dec. 1, 2008 at 2:24 p.m.
Who cares?
Soccer is BOOOORING! | Dec. 1, 2008 at 12:17 p.m.
- A president of Europe? 10:18 a.m.
- Riesch edges Vonn in WCup slalom 10:13 a.m.
- Woman killed in S.F. Canyon crash 10:07 a.m.
- Collie featured in Sports Illustrated 10:01 a.m.
- Obama: Put off Fort Hood probe 9:59 a.m.
- Fort Hood victims' funerals Saturday 9:18 a.m.
- Rep. bashes Dems over health care 9:09 a.m.
- Former China ambassador Lilley dies 9:08 a.m.
- Google concedes on digital book deal 9:00 a.m.
- New Zealand reaches World Cup 8:57 a.m.
- Williams leaves, won't play tonight
- Attack meant to kill apostle
- Unga family is making its mark
- Man killed during 3rd I-15 crash
- Trial begins in toddler death
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- ESPN suddenly loves MWC
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Study: Divorce likely when wife ill
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
348 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - Senators want food tax restored
162 - Will state consider gay rights law?
145 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Celtics crush Jazz
103 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
103 - Hatch empathizes with Muslims
89
As expected, Utah State's game at Weber State in the season opener was a...
A locked gate that a five year old can open is not secure enough for a dog...
"Tang's owner"? What's the individual's name? And how can a little boy...
What For ?
At first I thought this was going to deal with caring about the american...
Womens BB - LOSERS (yes) mens BB - LOSERS (yes)..... and going for the...
"ick" I hope not!
Sounds like a good game to watch. It was suppose to be on B2 TV but were not...
Well, this means that until the end of January, there will be little if any...
I laughed and laughed at this news. All four of my sisters live in the...
The sound of the train brakes as it pegs the odd car or pedestrian won't be a...
