Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has emerged as an unlikely ally to Uefa president Michel Platini's crack down on football clubs playing in Europe who spend beyond their means. 

Football Association chairman Lord Triesman’s criticism of the indebtedness of English football appears to have spooked bankers with at least three Premier League clubs receiving cautionary calls from lenders.

Chelsea strongly defended their financial structure and have rejected any suggestion that the club's estimated debt figure of £730 million could ultimately jeopardise their participation in European competitions.

By Jeremy Wilson
Published: 10:10PM BST 08 Oct 2008

Uefa will act to curb the rising tide of debt in football, threatening to ban clubs that do not comply with new financial regulations from taking part in European competition.

By Paul Kelso
Published: 10:10PM BST 08 Oct 2008

Counter balance: David Taylor (right) and Michel Platini want debt limits for clubs Photo: AP

Speaking 24 hours after Football Association chairman Lord Triesman criticised Premier League clubs for carrying a total of £3 billion in debt, Uefa general-secretary David Taylor said his organisation and its president, Michel Platini, shared his concerns.