Chelsea are reportedly expecting to avoid any sporting sanction after being charged with 74 alleged breaches of the FA’s regulations, meaning they would not receive a points deduction or a transfer ban. The association announced on Thursday that Chelsea’s charges were related to alleged breaches of agent regulations.
The FA said that they relate to a period between 2009 to 2022, when the club were owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, and primarily concerns between the 2010/11 to 2015/16 seasons. Chelsea have until September 19 to respond to the charges, which were self-reported by the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital ownership group.
The FA do have the power to hand down a points deduction or transfer ban and did so in 2008 to Luton, who were given a 10-point penalty for irregularities in the club’s transfer dealings, before a further 20-point sanction for their failure to complete a satisfactory insolvency agreement.
However, because Chelsea cooperated and the charges related to persons no longer at the club, they are only expecting to receive a fine, similar to the settlement penalty with UEFA in 2023, with the two parties close to a conclusion.
The charges are primarily tax-related matters that have since been settled by HMRC and have had no impact on the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability Rules.
Chelsea said: “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.
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“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.”
The Premier League is also conducting a simultaneous investigation into Chelsea’s dealings, which chief executive Richard Masters first announced in August 2023.
The previous month, Chelsea agreed to pay £8.57m after admitting to “incomplete financial reporting” under the Abramovich era. UEFA confirmed that they were “proactively” approached with the new information by Chelsea after their 2022 takeover.
The Telegraph claims that the FA charges relate to alleged payments to agents and officials via offshore entities, with transfers of Eden Hazard, Willian and Samuel Eto’o being investigated. There is no suggestion that any of the players were aware of any misconduct.
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