UEFA have given Chelsea and CSKA Moscow the all-clear to participate in the same Champions League group after verifying that Chelsea’s owner Roman Abramovich had no controlling interest in the Moscow club.
Last week UEFA said that if Abramovich, who has close links with CSKA, were found to have a controlling interest in the Russian club, neither could take part in the competition.
Both clubs stated that Abramovich had no interest in the Russian champions.
A UEFA statement read: “(Our) legal department has verified the issue as part of routine procedures before the new club competition season. UEFA monitors the situation of all clubs taking part in its tournaments.”
The European Union’s competition laws and UEFA’s competition rules forbid an individual owning a major share of two clubs playing in the same tournament.
Chelsea are due to meet CSKA in London on October 20 before travelling to Moscow for the return leg on November 2.
