Chelsea To Get €55.5m As TV Right

Chelsea Chief Executive, Ron Gourlay said the London club were due for a big financial boost as a result of their “phenomenal” Champions League semi-final win over Barcelona.

The Blues are set for the biggest television cash pay-out for reaching the final of at least £45 million (€55.5) million after a dramatic 2-2 draw in Barcelona on Tuesday, where they played most of the match with 10 men after captain, John Terry was sent off.

That result gave them a 3-2 aggregate win and a place in the final next month.

The money represents UEFA’s payments of TV cash alone and studies have shown the clubs can double that income from ticket sales, sponsorship and merchandise.

Manchester United had previously held the record pay-out of Champions League TV cash at £43.5m last season, but this year earned only £28m as a result of failing to qualify for the knockout stages.

English clubs have topped Champions League television payments for several years as a result of the sums paid by commercial broadcasters Sky and ITV.

However, with Chelsea currently outside the top four positions in the English Premier League they may have to win this season’s UEFA Champions League final if they are to qualify for next term’s tournament.

And with UEFA set to introduce financial fair play rules designed to cap the influence of wealthy owners such as Chelsea’s Roman Abramovich and the Blues based at a Stamford Bridge ground that holds less than half of Barcelona’s near 100,000-capacity Camp Nou, Gourlay also urged fans to reconsider their opposition to a new stadium.

“To find ourselves in the final has given the club a fabulous lift, and the fans as well,” Gourlay said.

“Financially, as well, it is a big boost for the club. It helps us continue our investment in the team as we go forward but we still have the challenge of making sure we are in this competition next year, and that is very important.”

And he added a significant increase in stadium size, which Chelsea insist cannot be done at their existing Stamford Bridge, was part of the process of strengthening the club’s finances.