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European win helps Chelsea turn profit

Chelsea said the figures put them in a strong position to comply with UEFA Financial Fair Play rules for the coming seasons. The rules require clubs to curb their losses or risk exclusion from the Champions League, Europe's top competition.

Some commentators had expected clubs funded by wealthy benefactors, such as Chelsea and English champions Manchester City, to be tripped up by the new rules.

"We had that success on the field this year, as we were the first London team to win the UEFA Champions League, and we enjoyed it off the field as well and this helps us inject financial investment into the team," Chief Executive Ron Gourlay said in a statement.

"The big challenge is always to have a successful team on the field that wins trophies and to make a profit at the same time."

Abramovich converted 166.6 million pounds of debt into equity over the course of the year, making Chelsea debt free. United fans complain that interest payments on the club's debt make it harder for them to compete with rivals.