Peter Kenyon believes that the impact of the global financial crisis on football will not be known until later next year.

The Chelsea chief executive was discussing the extraordinary world events of the last two months at the International Football Arena symposium at FIFA House in Zurich, the home of world football, today (Monday).

During a question and answer session entitled, 'To what extent will the global financial crisis have an effect on football', Kenyon dealt with a wide range of issues and confirmed that Chelsea were making plans to deal with any future economic downturn.

The topics covered included the following.

On Chelsea's plans to deal with the financial climate, he said:

'What we are doing at Chelsea is what almost every other business must be doing in the current climate. It is just good management and being prudent by keeping an eye on costs and is consistent with our target to be operating profit break even by 2010.

'If there is a further downturn next year our business will be in a better position as a result of what we are doing now. We want to be ahead of the curve on that.

'Much has been made about the re-structuring of the scouting network.This was part of a normal review. We wanted a more targeted approach rather than the wider one previously.

'Chelsea has invested significantly in our Academy infrastructure (pictured below), so we are confident the more targeted approach will deliver better results.'

On what are the practical implications of the financial crisis for football, he said:

'As there is less cash and therefore less liquidity in the financial system, that has implications for all businesses. Only last week one of the major supermarkets warned that it will be taking longer than normal to pay its suppliers so that type of thing filters all the way through the value chain of that business. Football is no different.'

On whether there would be a more severe economic downturn, he said:

'I sincerely hope not. We have to be optimistic and have faith in our product to ride it out if there is.

'I think the fans still want to come to football because it is great entertainment and value for money. It is our responsibility to continue to produce an exciting product so that if fans have to make a financial choice they choose football.

'At the moment that is the case and I hope it continues. We are selling out matches as quickly as ever at the moment.

'But what has happened globally is unprecedented. Given the economic predictions of organisations like the IMF and Bank of England I think it would be naïve not to prepare for a downturn next year across the country.

'In football much of our income is locked in for more than one season through television money and sponsorship, as well as season ticket and corporate revenue.

'Therefore while you have to plan for a negative impact, it is likely to be further in the future.'

On how has Roman Abramovich been affected by the global financial crisis, he said:

'I am not going to talk about Roman's situation specifically. But what I can confirm is his ongoing commitment to Chelsea. It's no less now than it was. He has always supported our business objectives of being self funding, as well as our sporting objectives.

'What is clear is that the financial crisis has affected everybody who has shares, property or a pension, nobody has been immune, and neither is football, that's just logical. There is less money in football than before because there is less cash in the global financial system.

'In terms of Chelsea we are keeping a closer an eye on our costs and reining back in other areas to put the business in better shape as I said before.'

On the January transfer window, he said:

'I have said before it is extremely unlikely we will spend in January and increase our squad. Felipe is on board with that. He has an excellent squad and he is doing a great job. We would have to sell someone if we decided to bring someone in to balance that situation, but at this stage we are not planning to bring anyone in.'

On the nature of Chelsea's debt compared to other clubs, he said:

'A lot of people misunderstand debt. Chelsea are not in the same position as other clubs. We pay no interest on our debt as we have no external debt.

'Our "debt", such as it is, is to the owner. He has invested the money in the club. And while that is currently in the form of loans, this can be turned into equity. I think our financial structure does give us some strength and competitive advantage.

'There is nothing inherently bad in financing one's business through debt. It's the ability to make the repayments that is the issue. We don't have those repayment issues. Companies all over the world are financed predominantly by debt, this is normal in business.'

On reports of stadium development, he said:

'We are not considering any advanced plans to move away from Stamford Bridge as recent reports have suggested. We get approached all the time about projects in west London especially where involving Chelsea could have a significant impact on that project or area. We get annoyed when our name is used to create a market for that property.

'In the current financial climate all stadium redevelopment discussions are naturally on the back burner and we are clear that only when all possibilities of redeveloping Stamford Bridge are exhausted will we seriously consider other alternatives.'

The 10th IFA also focussed on the potential of India as a footballing nation and was attended by Fifa president Sepp Blatter and Franz Beckenbauer. Chelsea is a partner of the IFA.