Chelsea tipped to ‘appeal’ ruling amid points deduction reveal
Chelsea could appeal the verdict over the 74 alleged breaches relating to payments to agents between 2009 and 2022.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, amid an investigation into Chelsea which is due to be concluded.
During BlueCo’s takeover from Roman Abramovich it was discovered that “incomplete financial information” had been submitted to the football authorities between 2012 and 2019.
Chelsea could face a points deduction if their disciplinary hearing leads to significant sanctions, with the club having already been charged by the FA in September.
Chelsea ‘sweeping up the history of Roman Abramovich’
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 – does not think there will be a heavy punishment for Chelsea.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness believes there would be a ‘serious appeal‘ if points deductions were to be imposed.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I don’t think that’s going to affect them too badly, and I think it’s just another part of sweeping up the history of Roman Abramovich and moving forward.
“But I don’t expect there to be anything serious in terms of points deductions which would jeopardise any Champions League situation which would have real ramifications. I think there would be serious appeals if it was to go that way. So I think it will end up in a financial penalty.
“I don’t think they’re going to make an example of Chelsea because they did cooperate, and as I say, this was a previous ownership. So I think the mitigating factors are fairly strong, and they should get away with, I think, just the financial penalty.”
Points deduction could harm Champions League chances
Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Everton currently sees the Blues in the final Champions League spot, but just two points above fifth-placed Crystal Palace.
Any points deductions would harm their chances of regaining that spot, with Liverpool and Man United also closely pursuing Chelsea.
Chelsea received a financial and commercial boost from Champions League qualification last season, and the club do not want to relinquish that position.