Chelsea have been told that the recent controversy over a drinking binge involving four stars in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the United States does not jeopardise their major sponsorship deal. Ex-West Ham midfielder Frank Lampard, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Jody Morris and John Terry went on a drinking session at a hotel near Heathrow airport, just 24 hours after the attacks.
The night out was only possible because Chelsea's UEFA Cup tie against Levski Sofia had been postponed as a mark of respect. It is also believed that the group's antics were witnessed by a group of Americans, stranded by the flight restrictions imposed in the immediate aftermath.
Chelsea will be relieved to hear that their multi-million pound four-year sponsorship deal with UAE airlines is not in jeopardy, as had been reported by newspapers this morning.
United Arab Emirates director of corporate communications, Mike Simon, said: "It is absolute nonsense to suggest that we are anything less than totally committed to our four-year sponsorship of Chelsea."
"Player discipline is a matter for the club and in this case has been dealt with by Chelsea. As sponsors we neither have nor would wish to have any influence whatsoever on internal decisions at Chelsea."
There has been widespread criticism of the Chelsea players, and Frank Sinclair of Leicester who was with them, from those within the game, including Paolo Di Canio and Rodney Marsh.
Filed by John Raftery
