Chelsea points deduction: ‘Serious’ punishment on the cards after Stefan Borson reveal
Chelsea are facing a “serious” punishment including a potential points deduction, after being charged by the FA following alleged rule breaches during former owner Roman Abramovich’s reign.
Chelsea have been under investigation since BlueCo, which is spearheaded by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, took over the club from Abramovich in May 2022.
The London giants revealed during the takeover they discovered “incomplete financial information” had been submitted to the football authorities between 2012 and 2019.
Chelsea then reported themselves to the Premier League, Uefa and the FA, leading to an investigation into the matter taking place.
The Blues reached an £8.7million settlement with Uefa in July 2023 due to the governing body having a statute of limitations that meant it was able to look back only as far as the 2018-19 season.
What have Chelsea been charged with by the FA?
It was revealed earlier this year Chelsea were in talks with the Premier League over agreeing a financial settlement for the payments.
However, the FA revealed on Thursday (11 September) it has now charged the Blues with 74 alleged rule breaches relating to payments to agents between 2009 and 2022 when Abramovich was in charge.
It added the charges are primarily focused around events between the 2010-11 to 2015-16 seasons.
Finance expert Stefan Borson previously told Football Insider Chelsea could face a “serious” punishment if they were charged following their alleged breaches.
In a statement responding to the charges, Chelsea said: “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.”
Chelsea could face sporting penalty after Eden Hazard reveal
It’s so far unclear precisely which events the FA charges relate to.
However, The Times reported in April Manchester United missed out on signing Eden Hazard in 2012 after they refused to pay his agent, John Bico, a secret multi-million-pound payment, which would have breached the Premier League and Uefa’s rules.
It said a Premier League investigation was continuing into allegations an offshore company belonging to Abramovich made a £6m payment in 2013 to Bico via a Dubai firm after Chelsea signed Hazard for £32m from Lille in 2012.
The former Blues winger registered 110 goals and 88 assists in 352 appearances at Stamford Bridge, where he claimed six trophies before joining Real Madrid in a £130m deal in 2019.
Borson told Football Insider Chelsea could face a sporting penalty, just like points deduction-hit duo Everton and Leicester City, rather than a financial punishment due to the nature of the allegations.
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