- تشيلسي charged with 74 FA rule breaches dating back to 2009
- Club expects financial penalty, not points deduction or transfer ban
- Punishment likely similar to UEFA’s £8m fine issued in 2023
The Football Association confirmed this week that Chelsea had been charged with dozens of rule breaches relating to agents, intermediaries and third-party investment in players. The conduct in question ranges from 2009 to 2022, previous owner during Abramovich’s tenure. Chelsea stated that the breaches were “self-reported” during the due diligence process of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s takeover.
Despite the scale of the charges, Chelsea are reportedly expecting only a financial penalty. According to The Telegraph’s Matt Law, the west London side are not anticipating any sporting sanctions, such as a points deductions or a transfer ban. The expectation is that the punishment will be similar to the £8 million fine handed down by UEFA in 2023.
The charges cover a long period of time and primarily relate to payments made to agents and intermediaries. FA rules prohibit third-party ownership of players, which was a particular focus of the investigation. By self-reporting, Chelsea hoped to mitigate the punishment and demonstrate transparency under their current ownership, which may have worked in their favour.
The West London side will now work with the FA as the disciplinary process unfolds. While the club may escape sporting sanctions, the case serves as another reminder of the turbulent legacy left by the Abramovich era. The Boehly-Clearlake consortium will be keen to resolve the matter swiftly and focus on stabilising the club both on and off the pitch.
