Failure in the Champions League will now cost Chelsea an income loss of approximately £20million, adding yet another hurdle to meet the demands of UEFA’s financial fairplay rules at Stamford Bridge.

After successfully qualifying for the competition last year by default of winning the trophy, Chelsea were the glad recipients of a healthy £48.6million sum made up of television deals and accumulated prize-money. The total figure saw the Blues record their first end of year profit under the chairmanship of Roman Abramovich.

Without the additional income from further Champions League success, since dropping out of the competition after their 6-1 win over Nordsjaelland, the Blues might find difficulty abiding by UEFA’s guiding principal that clubs must endeavour to break even.

Now that they are no longer competing in the competition, Chelsea’s television income will drop by a third in comparison to last year. Although the figures are slightly inflated after going all the way in 2011/12. Nevertheless, without a potential £20million in prize-money, a substantial void in Chelsea’s accounts must be filled elsewhere.

Time is therefore ticking for all clubs to start competing within their own revenue limits in order to break even, as accounts are set to be assessed during the 2013/14 season.