Chelsea likely punishment revealed as ‘Roman Abramovich makes headlines’
Chelsea’s controversial business under Todd Boehly have caused a stir but it is deals done under Roman Abramovich’s ownership which could land the club in hot water.
The new Blues owners revealed during BlueCo’s takeover from Abramovich in May 2022 they had discovered “incomplete financial information” had been submitted to the football authorities between 2012 and 2019.
Chelsea reported themselves to the Premier League, Uefa and the FA, with allegations suggesting secret payments had been made to agents in the past.
They have already reached a multi-million-pound settlement with Uefa but talks remain ongoing with the Premier League – and The Times is now reporting (6 June) that the FA are conducting a separate inquiry.
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 potential punishment for Chelsea.
FA should not waste millions on Chelsea probe, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness claimed he feels the allegations will be “hard to prove” and urged the FA not to “waste” millions of pounds on a lengthy investigation.
On the pitch, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League table and will return to the Champions League next term.
Wyness suggested the FA should only proceed with their investigation if they have a “smoking gun” in the case.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “It is concerning that the FA are now involved too.
“These things stick with the club you buy, so Boehly will be on the hook if they are found guilty.
“There’s a new Abramovich book out this week, it’s in the headlines – but I doubt it will give you many facts from behind the curtain.
“They’ll have cut anything juicy out.
“I think it will be hard to prove in the end for the FA and Premier League. The number of companies Abramovich will have used, it will be hard to penetrate that corporate veil.
“The FA are going to have a hard job. I hope they don’t waste too much money trying to find the truth, because it could run to millions of pounds if they go mad.
“I think there are better uses for that money.
“This is in the past now. If there’s a smoking gun, go ahead – but don’t go around the world forever trying to find that evidence if you don’t have solid leads.”
Chelsea will accept offers for two first-teamers
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (10 June) that Chelsea will accept offers for first-team duo Benoit Badiashile and Axel Disasi this summer.
Trevoh Chalobah is attracting interest from Napoli and Premier League clubs, but Football Insider has revealed (10 June) he is not at the top of Chelsea’s unwanted list.
Maresca and his transfer team will instead look to move French duo Badiashile, 24, and Disasi, 27, on before the 2025-26 campaign gets underway.
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