Chelsea have been charged with 74 alleged breaches of FA regulations during the Roman Abramovich era. The Russian oligarch was forced to sell the Blues in full in 2022, in a sale of £2.5billion, after he was sanctioned by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s UK government following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Chelsea’s charges concern alleged breaches of agents’ regulations and third-party investments in players. They range from 2009 to 2022 and primarily between the 2010/11 and 2015/16 seasons, before Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over. Chelsea have until September 19 to respond.
A FA spokesperson released a statement which read: “The Football Association has today charged Chelsea FC with breaches of Regulations J1 and C2 of The FA Football Agents Regulations, Regulations A2 and A3 of The FA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries, and Regulations A1 and B3 of the FA Third Party Investment in Players Regulations.
“In total, 74 charges have been brought against Chelsea FC. The conduct that is the subject of the charges ranges from 2009 and 2022 and primarily relates to events which occurred between the 2010/11 to 2015/16 playing seasons. Chelsea FC has until 19 September 2025 to respond.”
The Premier League is also conducting a separate investigation into the matter, which the Daily Mail claims is still ongoing.
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A Chelsea statement, in response to the charges, read: “Chelsea FC is pleased to confirm that its engagement with The FA concerning matters that were self-reported by the club is now reaching a conclusion.
“The club’s ownership group completed its purchase of the club on 30 May 2022. During a thorough due diligence process prior to completion of the purchase, the ownership group became aware of potentially incomplete financial reporting concerning historical transactions and other potential breaches of FA rules. Immediately upon the completion of the purchase, the club self-reported these matters to all relevant regulators, including The FA.
“The club has demonstrated unprecedented transparency during this process, including by giving comprehensive access to the club’s files and historical data. We will continue working collaboratively with The FA to conclude this matter as swiftly as possible.
“We wish to place on record our gratitude to The FA for their engagement with the club on this complex case, the focus of which has been on matters that took place over a decade ago.”
Chelsea confirmed nearly two years ago that they reported potential financial rule breaches, after transfers involving Samuel Eto’o and Willian in 2013 formed part of a Premier League investigation. The new ownership group claimed at the time that the allegations “pre-date the current ownership” and “do not relate to any individual who is presently at the club”.
A Chelsea statement at the time said: “These allegations pre-date the club’s current ownership. They concern entities that were allegedly controlled by the club’s former owner and do not relate to any individual who is presently at the club.
“Chelsea FC’s ownership group completed its purchase of the club on May 30, 2022.
“During a thorough due diligence process prior to completion of the purchase, the ownership group became aware of potentially incomplete financial reporting concerning historical transactions during the club’s previous ownership.
“Immediately following the completion of the purchase, the club proactively self-reported these matters to all applicable football regulators.
“In accordance with the club’s ownership group’s core principles of full compliance and transparency the club has proactively assisted the applicable regulators with their investigations and will continue to do so.”