Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid, as Uefa warn Blues over Courtois
The Champions League semi-final draw offers an intriguing number of options for the final

A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
Thank you for signing up to TheWeek. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
CHELSEA have been drawn against Spanish league leaders Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League, and already there is controversy over the participation of Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is on loan in Spain from Chelsea. It is believed that under the terms of his loan deal, Atletico will have to pay Chelsea a fee if they pick Courtois to face his parent club. The cost to the Spanish club could be as much as £5m, a fee that they have said they cannot afford. However, Uefa have entered the fray and warned Chelsea that any "attempt to exert any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may field in a match" is forbidden under European football rules. The BBC interprets that as a message to the London club that any contractual agreement concerning the eligibility of the Belgian shotstopper is "null, void and unenforceable". "The warning came in an extraordinary statement from the European governing body made just hours before Chelsea were drawn against the Spanish league leaders in the last four of the competition," reports The Times.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay insisted, after the draw, that Chelsea would not seek to prevent Courtois from playing, but did not deny that his selection could trigger a fee. Earlier Atletico president Enrique Cerezo had said that the fee for playing the outstanding young keeper would be "a number we can't afford to pay". "The Courtois situation is just one aspect of a semi-final laced with tantalising sub plots," adds the Times. "Diego Costa, the Atletico striker, is reputed to be top of Chelsea's shopping list this summer. Costa would likely be replacing Fernando Torres, an Atletico idol and supporter, who is out of favour at Chelsea." The other semi final pits defending champions Bayern Munich against Atletico's local rivals Real Madrid. The draw raises the possibility of an all-Madrid final between Real and Atletico, a clash between Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and his former club Real, or a showdown between the Portuguese and his old rival Pep Guardiola, now manager of Bayern.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
What Slovakia's pro-Russia election result means for Ukraine
Speed Read The victory of former Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico's populist Smer party has raised concerns of waning support for Kyiv in Western democracies
By Peter Weber Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Ten Things You Need to Know Today: 2 October 2023
The Week’s daily digest of the news agenda, published at 8am
By The Week Staff Published
-
‘Genuine visionary’: is Pep Guardiola the greatest of all time?
feature Spaniard has now won two trebles following Man City’s Champions League triumph
By The Week Staff Published
-
Champions League final: Man City vs. Inter predictions and preview
feature Can Guardiola’s team finally win the Champions League and complete a historic treble?
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Premier League all-star game: ‘incredibly arrogant’ or natural ‘evolution’?
Talking Point Managers and pundits dismiss US-inspired idea from Chelsea co-owner
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Uefa Champions League 2022-2023 guide: group stage draw and key dates
feature Liverpool face Rangers while Man City’s Erling Haaland has a reunion with Dortmund
By Mike Starling Published
-
Raheem Sterling: Chelsea move ‘makes sense for all’
Why Everyone’s Talking About England star set for return to west London from Manchester City
By Mike Starling Published
-
Life after Roman: Chelsea’s new era begins after takeover is completed
feature Todd Boehly reveals his vision for the club, plus a look at the possible ins and outs at the Bridge
By Mike Starling Published
-
Uefa Champions League final: blame game begins for chaos in Paris
feature Liverpool call for an investigation as Uefa are accused of a ‘narrative of lies’
By Mike Starling Published
-
2022 Uefa Champions League final: Liverpool vs. Real Madrid preview, predictions and TV
feature Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s showpiece in Paris
By Mike Starling Last updated