- Chelsea is charged with 74 infractions between 2009 and 2022, when the club was owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
- The infractions have to do with agent and third-party investment rules, specifically over transfers of Samuel Eto’o, Eden Hazard, and Willian.
- The Football Association could punish Chelsea financially, although it might help that they self-reported the infractions.
Chelsea has been hit with 74 charges from the English Football Association in regard to agent infractions between 2009 and 2022, when the club was owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich.
The club self-reported the infractions, which could help limit their punishment.
Chelsea Finds “Potential Breaches of FA Rules” During Boehly Takeover
It was revealed on Thursday morning that Chelsea had been charged with 74 rule infractions by the FA.
The infractions are to have happened between 2009 and 2022, when the club was owned by Abramovich. They have to do with breaches of agent regulations, along with intermediaries and third-party investment in players.
The allegations reportedly have to do specifically with the transfers of Samuel Eto’o and Willian from Anzhi Makhachkala, and Eden Hazard from Lille. Essentially, it was found that money was being rerouted to players via their family, agents, or offshore companies.
Chelsea found the potential accounting discrepancies when the club was completing the sale from Abramovich to BlueCo, a group led by American businessman Todd Boehly. In a statement, Chelsea said:
"The club's ownership group completed its purchase of the club on 30 May 2022. During a thorough due diligence process before 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."
What Could Happen to Chelsea?
It could help that Chelsea has self-reported the potential infractions, as they’ve already been down this road before. In July 2023, they paid UEFA €10m for “incomplete financial reporting”. It had always been rumored that the Abramovich regime hadn’t always been honest about finances.
He was one of the first foreign owners to enter the Premier League, but Abramovich wasn’t shy about splashing around the cash. Under Abramovich, Chelsea won the Premier League five times, along with five FA Cups, and two Champions League trophies.
This shouldn’t affect Chelsea’s odds at soccer betting sites at all, and their transparency could help with whatever punishment they received from the FA. There will likely be some sort of punishment for the club, but we have no idea when we’ll know. We’re still waiting on a verdict for Manchester City’s 115 allegations of financial breaches. But Chelsea fans will be holding their breath as long as these allegations are in the air, and they’ll be crossing their fingers that the FA has mercy on their club!
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