Chelsea have been denied a transfer ban by the Premier League, but can expect further sanctions.
New investigation underway
Chelsea could face harsher penalties after the club has already been imposed a transfer ban and a fine from the Premier League.
On Monday, it emerged that the London club has been fined a record £10.75 million for breaching regulations related to previous transfers over a period of seven years.
Read: How the seven players Tottenham signed for Gareth Bale money fared
According to the allegations, Chelsea allegedly committed a total of 74 breaches between 2011 and 2018, after secret payments of £47.5 million to agents and third parties associated with the two-time Champions League winner were uncovered.
Transfers with big names such as Eden Hazard, Nemanja Matic, Willian, Ramires, David Luiz, André Schürrle and Samuel Eto’o have been scrutinised – without the players themselves being accused of any criminal offences. Four other player names are redacted in the report.
Chelsea, which is currently owned by BlueCo and Todd Boehly, reported the financial irregularities of the Premier League, FA and UEFA when they bought the club in 2022. Now the club has been imposed two transfer refusals – a one-year ban that has been suspended for two years, and a nine-month suspension of the signing of academy players.
The club has accepted the ruling from the independent commission, and according to the BBC, reporting on their own initiative has helped them avoid a two-year transfer refusal. The Premier League has confirmed that “exceptional cooperation” and “proactive self-reporting” led to the fine being halved from £20 million.
FA investigation nearing its end
Nevertheless, a separate investigation by the FA remains related to alleged violations of their regulations.
According to the Daily Express, the club does not have to deduct points, despite the fact that the FA has full authority to impose it. Instead, further fines are expected. The Times reports that the FA investigation, which was announced in September, is now nearing its end.
The ruling from the Premier League states: “The investigation determined, and the club has acknowledged, that the payments were made with the knowledge and approval of certain former senior employees and/or directors of the club. The payments were made via third parties with funds controlled by or associated with the then owner, Roman Abramovich.”
Chelsea states that they are “happy that the case has now been closed”.
Sporting focus despite the case
Chelsea are currently in sixth place in the Premier League, and last lost to Newcastle at Stamford Bridge. On Tuesday evening, the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final against reigning champion Paris Saint-Germain awaits.
The team is down 2-5 from the first leg in Paris, and Liam Rosenior does not think the news of the penalty is a welcome diversion before the game.
“There is no negative distraction. On the contrary – now that matter is dead, and we can move on and plan to make this club as strong as possible in the long term. That is the goal of the owners, myself and everyone at the club,” he said at the press conference.
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