‘Chelsea face questions from authorities’ as new controversy uncovered
Chelsea have faced recent criticism for a number of business decisions taken both before and during the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.
The Blues reduced their losses for the 2022-23 campaign by selling two Stamford Bridge hotels to a sister company – potentially avoiding punishment under Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Boehly and Clearlake made a similar move last year (2023) when they sold the club’s women’s side to their immediate parent company to offset major losses.
Chelsea have also been under investigation by the Premier League for alleged “secret payments” in transfer deals made under Roman Abramovich’s ownership.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has had his say on a new controversy at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea could see multi-million-pound tax break ‘disappear’, says Wyness
The Times reported on Monday (17 February) that Chelsea have received £2million in research and development (R&D) tax relief payments by HMRC between 2020 and 2023.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness claimed the Blues could face “questions from the tax authorities” over these payments.
The report claims a claim is only valid if Chelsea “made a genuine advance in science or technology to benefit the overall field, not just its own business”.
Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Dundee United were also named in the Times’ investigation.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It’s not just Chelsea, it’s a number of clubs.
“It’s not just a football story, it’s a well-known tax break involving many businesses across Britain.
“The headline is that it’s not the correct way to claim. You’re supposed to be claiming a tax break for research and scientific developments to benefit science in general – not just your company.
“Unless Chelsea, and other clubs, can show they’ve developed something which will benefit science in general – which is a big step – they may find the tax authorities asking questions.
“The problem with football clubs is that they are always in the headlights.
“At Everton, there would be companies two or three times the size who would never be mentioned in the press – and yet we were front or back page every day.
“This tax break is going to be something I think business in general will find hard to claim as we go forward, particularly under the new government.
“They’re keen to claw back as much tax as possible, and this is something we’re going to see disappear.”
‘Maresca under sack pressure at Chelsea’
Meanwhile, former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown has told Football Insider that Enzo Maresca is facing growing pressure on his position at Chelsea.
| Opponent | Date | Competition | Result |
| Wolves | 20 January | Premier League | 3-1 (W) |
| Man City | 25 January | Premier League | 3-1 (L) |
| West Ham | 3 February | Premier League | 2-1 (W) |
| Brighton | 8 February | FA Cup | 2-1 (L) |
| Brighton | 14 February | Premier League | 3-0 (L) |
The Blues have won just three of their last 11 games across all competitons and have slipped to sixth place in the Premier League.
Maresca’s side have suffered back-to-back losses against Brighton in the FA Cup and top flight.
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