Chelsea

[DJLJ]

1 hour ago, stringvest said:

which is lovely, but they probably won't be looking to launder money in quite the way Abra has so will keep spending and investment in the team to altogether saner levels.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60736185

 

Quote

A BBC investigation has uncovered new evidence about the corrupt deals that made Roman Abramovich's fortune.

The Chelsea owner made billions after buying an oil company from the Russian government in a rigged auction in 1995.

Mr Abramovich paid around $250m (£190m) for Sibneft, before selling it back to the Russian government for $13bn in 2005.

His lawyers say there is no basis for alleging he has amassed very substantial wealth through criminality.

The Russian billionaire was sanctioned by the UK government last week because of his links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Abramovich's assets have been frozen and he has been disqualified as a director of Chelsea Football Club.

 

The Russian billionaire has already admitted in a UK court that he made corrupt payments to help get the Sibneft deal off the ground.

He was being sued in London by his former business associate Boris Berezovsky in 2012.

Mr Abramovich won the case, but he described in court how the original Sibneft auction was rigged in his favour and how he gave Mr Berezovsky $10m to pay off a Kremlin official.

BBC Panorama has obtained a document that is thought to have been smuggled out of Russia.

The information was given to the programme by a confidential source, who says it was secretly copied from files held on Mr Abramovich by Russian law enforcement agencies.

The BBC cannot verify that, but checks with other sources in Russia have backed up many of the details in the five-page document.

 

The document says that the Russian government was cheated out of $2.7bn in the Sibneft deal - a claim supported by a 1997 Russian parliamentary investigation. The document also says that the Russian authorities wanted to charge Mr Abramovich with fraud.

It says: "The Dept. of Economic Crimes investigators came to the conclusion that if Abramovich could be brought to trial he would have faced accusations of fraud… by an organised criminal group."

Panorama tracked down Russia's former chief prosecutor, who investigated the deal in the 1990s. 

Yuri Skuratov did not know about the secret document, but he independently confirmed many of the details about the Sibneft sale.

 

Mr Skuratov told the programme: "Basically, it was a fraudulent scheme, where those who took part in the privatisation formed one criminal group that allowed Abramovich and Berezovsky to trick the government and not pay the money that this company was really worth."

The document also suggests Mr Abramovich was protected by former Russian President Boris Yeltsin. 

It says law enforcement files on Mr Abramovich were moved to the Kremlin and that an investigation by Mr Skuratov was stopped by the president.

The document says: "Skuratov was preparing a criminal case for the confiscation of Sibneft on the basis of the investigation of its privatisation. The investigation was stopped by President Yeltsin … Skuratov was dismissed from his office."

Mr Skuratov was sacked after the release of a sex tape in 1999. He says it was a stitch-up to discredit him and his investigation.

He said: "This whole thing was obviously political, because in my investigations I came very close to the family of Boris Yeltsin, including via this investigation of the Sibneft privatisation."

Mr Abramovich remained in the Kremlin inner circle when Vladimir Putin came to power in 2000. 

The document contains details of another rigged auction two years later, involving a Russian oil company called Slavneft.

Mr Abramovich formed a partnership with another firm to buy Slavneft, but a rival Chinese company was planning to bid almost twice as much.

Many powerful people - from the Kremlin to the Russian parliament - would have stood to lose out if the Chinese won the auction.

The document says that a member of the Chinese delegation was kidnapped when they arrived in Moscow for the auction.

"CNPC, Chinese company, a very strong competitor, had to withdraw from the auction after one of its representatives was kidnapped upon arrival at Moscow Airport and was released only after the company declared its withdrawal."

The kidnapping story is backed up by independent sources who did not know about the document.

Vladimir Milov was Russia's deputy energy minister in the run up to the Slavneft sale. He didn't comment on the kidnapping story, but he said senior political figures had already decided that Mr Abramovich's partnership would win the auction.

"I said, look, the Chinese want to come in and they want to pay a much bigger price. They say it doesn't matter, shut up, none of your business. It's already decided. Slavneft goes to Abramovich, the price is agreed. The Chinese will be dragged out somehow."

There is no suggestion that Mr Abramovich knew anything about the kidnapping plot, or played any part in it.

His lawyers told the BBC the kidnap claim "is entirely unsubstantiated" and he has "no knowledge of such incident".

Different factions had been fighting for control of Slavneft and there was widespread opposition to the Chinese bid.

Whatever the reason for the Chinese withdrawal, Mr Abramovich's partnership had the only bid left on the table. And they bought Slavneft at a knockdown price.

Mr Abramovich's lawyers say allegations of corruption in the Slavneft and Sibneft deals are false, and he denies he was protected by Mr Yeltsin.

 

[sir roger]

The great majority of that has been known for some time. Amazing how the BBC can expose it when it suits.

[TD_LFC]

The lawyers for these Oligarchs have been pretty aggressive over the years so whether that plays into what has been able to be said previously.

[m0e]

1 hour ago, sir roger said:

The great majority of that has been known for some time. Amazing how the BBC can expose it when it suits.

It sounds similar to most political deals. The only difference are the amounts in question.

[Section_31]

1 hour ago, sir roger said:

The great majority of that has been known for some time. Amazing how the BBC can expose it when it suits.

It's fucking bonkers this country.

 

"Who knew about Jimmy Saville?"

 

"Everyone, literally everyone."

 

 

[Reckoner]

1 hour ago, sir roger said:

The great majority of that has been known for some time. Amazing how the BBC can expose it when it suits.

Exactly what I thought when I watched it last night. If the government ever gets refused oil from the Saudis watch how the expose bbc documentaries suddenly all have ‘new evidence emerging’ of their brutal torture of political dissidents, murder of citizens, etc.

[Bjornebye]

7 minutes ago, Section_31 said:

It's fucking bonkers this country.

 

"Who knew about Jimmy Saville?"

 

"Everyone, literally everyone."

 

 

Not sure... there were a fair few on here when he died pretty much mourning. 

[Jairzinho]

58 minutes ago, Bjornebye said:

Not sure... there were a fair few on here when he died pretty much mourning. 

Only the forum's nonces.

[Barrington Womble]

23 hours ago, Reckoner said:

Exactly what I thought when I watched it last night. If the government ever gets refused oil from the Saudis watch how the expose bbc documentaries suddenly all have ‘new evidence emerging’ of their brutal torture of political dissidents, murder of citizens, etc.

If we ever get to the point of not needing their oil, it'll be exactly the same. 

[Leyton388]

So it looks like they're going to be sold for around £3bn if you read the news. Got me thinking how the fuck can a club that has £1.5bn worth of debt, have a shortfall of near £1m per week go for anything close to what is being quoted? 

 

 

[Harry Squatter]

On 16/03/2022 at 18:59, Bjornebye said:

Not sure... there were a fair few on here when he died pretty much mourning. 

I went to Leeds once shortly after he died. His body was lying in state in the Hotel next to the station and there were hundreds of people queuing up to see him and pay their respects. Fucking weirdos. 

[Barrington Womble]

10 hours ago, Leyton388 said:

So it looks like they're going to be sold for around £3bn if you read the news. Got me thinking how the fuck can a club that has £1.5bn worth of debt, have a shortfall of near £1m per week go for anything close to what is being quoted? 

 

 

My guess is it's a deal that will value them at 3bn, they won't actually pay 3bn (although what I've read, everyone is in agreement it won't get near 3bn, it will be about 2.5bn). As for the losses, I'm assuming looking at the types of people on the money side of most of the prospective buyers, they'll all think they can run the club more efficiently. And I think the whole people trafficking thing that Chelsea manage to get away with certainly gives them an edge over all of their competitors. 

[Vincent Vega]

They don’t even own their ground do they? It’s a staggering valuation if that’s the case. I bet FSG are looking at our valuation and are adding noughts to it if Chelsea go for £2.5bn.

[SlugTrail]

15 minutes ago, Barrington Womble said:

My guess is it's a deal that will value them at 3bn, they won't actually pay 3bn (although what I've read, everyone is in agreement it won't get near 3bn, it will be about 2.5bn). As for the losses, I'm assuming looking at the types of people on the money side of most of the prospective buyers, they'll all think they can run the club more efficiently. And I think the whole people trafficking thing that Chelsea manage to get away with certainly gives them an edge over all of their competitors. 

Even thier human trafficking is coming to an end with the limit on loaned out players coming into effect in a couple of seasons.

[Barrington Womble]

12 minutes ago, SlugTrail said:

Even thier human trafficking is coming to an end with the limit on loaned out players coming into effect in a couple of seasons.

Is that happening? I knew it had been talked about, I didn't realise they'd actually made a decision. What's the new rule going to be? 

[SlugTrail]

4 minutes ago, Barrington Womble said:

Is that happening? I knew it had been talked about, I didn't realise they'd actually made a decision. What's the new rule going to be? 

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Football

Transfer news: FIFA announces radical new loan plans that will limit clubs to six loan exits per season

FIFA's new loan rules to be given final approval at next council meeting; FIFA wants to implement rules to prevent stockpiling of players; Clubs will be limited to six players loaned out starting from 2024/25 season; club-trained players or players aged 21 or younger exempt from rules

  13:55, UK, Thursday 20 January 2022

Image:FIFA wants to introduce radical changes to loan rules that would affect Premier League clubs

FIFA has announced new loan rule plans that will limit clubs to six loan signings and six loan exits per season.

New regulations capping the number of international loans in and out at any club are set to come into force in July, however, players aged 21 or under and club-trained players will be exempt from the new guidelines.

The rules do not cover domestic loans, but FIFA has said national associations must bring their regulations in line within three years - so by July 1, 2025 at the latest.

Transfer Centre LIVE!

Paper Talk

January 2022 done deals

The new rules, drawn up with the intention of helping to develop young players, improve competitive balance and prevent the stockpiling of players, were originally due to be implemented in July 2020 but were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Provided the regulations are given final approval by the FIFA Council, between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 clubs will be limited to a maximum of eight international loan signings in and eight loaned out, dropping to seven in 2023-24 and remaining at six from 2024-25.

Advertisement

What other loan rules are FIFA hoping to implement?

Clubs will also be restricted to the number of deals they can do with one team in another country, with three players in and three players out at any given point.

The length of loan deals has also been looked at by FIFA. The minimum loan deal will be between two transfer windows while the maximum loan will be one year.

Also See:

Get Sky Sports

Live football on Sky Sports this week

Watch Premier League highlights

Listen to the latest Sky Sports Football podcasts

Sub-loaning of a player already sent out on loan will be banned.

The regulations also include the requirement for a written agreement defining the terms of the loan.

The changes are part of a wider reform of the transfer system which FIFA instigated in 2017 to find ways to modernise and clean up the player transfer market.

FIFA are also concerned that wealthy clubs are hoarding players, therefore shrinking the pool of available talent and controlling access to them for less wealthy rivals seeking loan deals.

Follow the January transfer window with Sky Sports

Who will be on the move in January?

The January transfer window opens on Saturday January 1, 2022 and closes at 11pm on Monday January 31.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.

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[Barrington Womble]

13 minutes ago, SlugTrail said:

Home

 

›

 

Football

Transfer news: FIFA announces radical new loan plans that will limit clubs to six loan exits per season

FIFA's new loan rules to be given final approval at next council meeting; FIFA wants to implement rules to prevent stockpiling of players; Clubs will be limited to six players loaned out starting from 2024/25 season; club-trained players or players aged 21 or younger exempt from rules

  13:55, UK, Thursday 20 January 2022

Image:FIFA wants to introduce radical changes to loan rules that would affect Premier League clubs

FIFA has announced new loan rule plans that will limit clubs to six loan signings and six loan exits per season.

New regulations capping the number of international loans in and out at any club are set to come into force in July, however, players aged 21 or under and club-trained players will be exempt from the new guidelines.

The rules do not cover domestic loans, but FIFA has said national associations must bring their regulations in line within three years - so by July 1, 2025 at the latest.

Transfer Centre LIVE!

Paper Talk

January 2022 done deals

The new rules, drawn up with the intention of helping to develop young players, improve competitive balance and prevent the stockpiling of players, were originally due to be implemented in July 2020 but were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Provided the regulations are given final approval by the FIFA Council, between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 clubs will be limited to a maximum of eight international loan signings in and eight loaned out, dropping to seven in 2023-24 and remaining at six from 2024-25.

Advertisement

What other loan rules are FIFA hoping to implement?

Clubs will also be restricted to the number of deals they can do with one team in another country, with three players in and three players out at any given point.

The length of loan deals has also been looked at by FIFA. The minimum loan deal will be between two transfer windows while the maximum loan will be one year.

Also See:

Get Sky Sports

Live football on Sky Sports this week

Watch Premier League highlights

Listen to the latest Sky Sports Football podcasts

Sub-loaning of a player already sent out on loan will be banned.

The regulations also include the requirement for a written agreement defining the terms of the loan.

The changes are part of a wider reform of the transfer system which FIFA instigated in 2017 to find ways to modernise and clean up the player transfer market.

FIFA are also concerned that wealthy clubs are hoarding players, therefore shrinking the pool of available talent and controlling access to them for less wealthy rivals seeking loan deals.

Follow the January transfer window with Sky Sports

Who will be on the move in January?

The January transfer window opens on Saturday January 1, 2022 and closes at 11pm on Monday January 31.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.

Win £250,000 with Super 6!

Another Saturday, another chance to win £250,000 with Super 6. Play for free, entries by 3pm.

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© 2022 Sky UK

I suppose if U21s don't count, they'll just move from trafficking adults to child trafficking. 

[TD_LFC]

11 hours ago, Leyton388 said:

So it looks like they're going to be sold for around £3bn if you read the news. Got me thinking how the fuck can a club that has £1.5bn worth of debt, have a shortfall of near £1m per week go for anything close to what is being quoted? 

 

 

Because that 3bn will include the 1.5 billion 'debt'.

[SlugTrail]

24 minutes ago, Barrington Womble said:

I suppose if U21s don't count, they'll just move from trafficking adults to child trafficking. 

Much stricter laws around that, although once there is a tory in charge of them then anything will go.

[aws]

The authorities always seem to be chasing their tails trying to tackle the abuses of the money no object clubs.  I just wish they'd tackle them head on by coming up with and enforcing proper financial fair play rules. 

[VladimirIlyich]

3 hours ago, SlugTrail said:

Home

 

›

 

Football

Transfer news: FIFA announces radical new loan plans that will limit clubs to six loan exits per season

FIFA's new loan rules to be given final approval at next council meeting; FIFA wants to implement rules to prevent stockpiling of players; Clubs will be limited to six players loaned out starting from 2024/25 season; club-trained players or players aged 21 or younger exempt from rules

  13:55, UK, Thursday 20 January 2022

Image:FIFA wants to introduce radical changes to loan rules that would affect Premier League clubs

FIFA has announced new loan rule plans that will limit clubs to six loan signings and six loan exits per season.

New regulations capping the number of international loans in and out at any club are set to come into force in July, however, players aged 21 or under and club-trained players will be exempt from the new guidelines.

The rules do not cover domestic loans, but FIFA has said national associations must bring their regulations in line within three years - so by July 1, 2025 at the latest.

Transfer Centre LIVE!

Paper Talk

January 2022 done deals

The new rules, drawn up with the intention of helping to develop young players, improve competitive balance and prevent the stockpiling of players, were originally due to be implemented in July 2020 but were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Provided the regulations are given final approval by the FIFA Council, between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 clubs will be limited to a maximum of eight international loan signings in and eight loaned out, dropping to seven in 2023-24 and remaining at six from 2024-25.

Advertisement

What other loan rules are FIFA hoping to implement?

Clubs will also be restricted to the number of deals they can do with one team in another country, with three players in and three players out at any given point.

The length of loan deals has also been looked at by FIFA. The minimum loan deal will be between two transfer windows while the maximum loan will be one year.

Also See:

Get Sky Sports

Live football on Sky Sports this week

Watch Premier League highlights

Listen to the latest Sky Sports Football podcasts

Sub-loaning of a player already sent out on loan will be banned.

The regulations also include the requirement for a written agreement defining the terms of the loan.

The changes are part of a wider reform of the transfer system which FIFA instigated in 2017 to find ways to modernise and clean up the player transfer market.

FIFA are also concerned that wealthy clubs are hoarding players, therefore shrinking the pool of available talent and controlling access to them for less wealthy rivals seeking loan deals.

Follow the January transfer window with Sky Sports

Who will be on the move in January?

The January transfer window opens on Saturday January 1, 2022 and closes at 11pm on Monday January 31.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.

Win £250,000 with Super 6!

Another Saturday, another chance to win £250,000 with Super 6. Play for free, entries by 3pm.

Terms & Conditions

 

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Privacy Options

 

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© 2022 Sky UK

Some good stuff in principle but I wont hold my breath at them being rigidly implemented.

[Jimmy Hills Chin]

3 hours ago, TD_LFC said:

Because that 3bn will include the 1.5 billion 'debt'.

Where does the money go from the sale, I'm presuming the Abramovich won't getting his mitts on it now. 

[dockers_strike]

On 16/03/2022 at 17:22, TD_LFC said:

The lawyers for these Oligarchs have been pretty aggressive over the years so whether that plays into what has been able to be said previously.

Well extreme times call for extreme measures. I dont see why the government should just make the legislation sanctioning these twats as to be beyond litigation as a one off.

[Barrington Womble]

3 hours ago, aws said:

The authorities always seem to be chasing their tails trying to tackle the abuses of the money no object clubs.  I just wish they'd tackle them head on by coming up with and enforcing proper financial fair play rules. 

There are no rules though that they could apply are there? They could write some, they would work out how they think they can drive a bus through them and if they can't, they'll wrap the authorities up in years long legal cases till it gets to the point the clubs owners have already achieved what they needed from the sportswashing. It's like the thing with the PL and city that's been running for years. Let's say they eventually get found guilty and even lose their titles, in the mean time they've had 10 years or more of legitimising their state - and fans of other teams don't get the years back where they've had titles stolen from them. 

[SlugTrail]

2 hours ago, VladimirIlyich said:

Some good stuff in principle but I wont hold my breath at them being rigidly implemented.

If Abramavich had still been in charge he would probably have gone out and bought a few middle of the range European clubs and just sold them to these clubs with low buy back clauses incase they get good.