Chelsea abstained from the latest vote on anchoring rules because owner Todd Boehly is trying to befriend other top-flight clubs.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who exclusively told Football Insider that he was surprised that Chelsea did not use their vote to oppose the new regulations.
Top flight clubs met on Monday (29 April) to discuss and vote on new anchoring proposals which are designed to cap spending to a multiple of the lowest earnings in the division.
Only Aston Villa, Manchester United and Manchester City voted against the proposals, with the new rules now set to be introduced from the 2025-26 season onwards.
Chelsea were the only club in the Premier League to abstain from the vote.
Maguire admitted that Chelsea’s decision to abstain was a surprise, but reveals that it may have been a political choice by Boehly to keep other clubs on his side.
Chelsea pull surprise move as Boehly withdraws from vote
“I personally thought that Chelsea might have voted against the anchoring rules because they are successful as a commercial club,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“I think Todd Boehly wants to be friends with everybody, and therefore by abstaining, he’s trying to keep himself in with all parties.
“You can understand Chelsea’s reservations because they are a big brand and the anchoring rules effectively ignore the contribution made to a club’s finances through its commercial clout.
“Boehly would be very keen for the Super League or for matches to be played overseas.
“That would not be part of matchday income but instead count as commercial income so I can understand why they are not fully voting for them.“
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