Exclusive: ‘Chelsea could face serious punishment after rival club leak’
Chelsea could be facing a significant penalty after a controversial payment linked to former owner Roman Abramovich has come to light.
The Russian oligarch sold the Premier League side to BlueCo, which is spearheaded by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, for £4.25billion in May 2022.
Chelsea revealed during BlueCo’s takeover they discovered “incomplete financial information” had been submitted to the football authorities between 2012 and 2019.
The London giants then reported themselves to the Premier League, Uefa and the FA, leading to an investigation into the matter taking place.
Chelsea 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 – something the Premier League has no such restriction on.
It was revealed earlier this year the club were in talks with the Premier League over agreeing a financial settlement for the payments.
However, The Times reported on 24 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 is continuing into allegations an offshore company belonging to Abramovich made a £6million payment in 2013 to Bico via a Dubai firm after Chelsea signed Hazard for £32million from Lille in 2012.
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider he believes a club has leaked the information to ensure Chelsea face a “serious” sanction.
Hazard registered 110 goals and 88 assists in 352 appearances at Stamford Bridge, where he claimed six trophies before joining Real Madrid in a £130million deal in 2019.
Chelsea face penalty after admitting breaches
Borson insisted there is a “big” difference between the Chelsea situation and Manchester City’s ongoing 115 charges case.
He told Football Insider: “It seems to me that the Hazard article has been put out there by a club who’s looking to ensure that this is not just a financial settlement for Chelsea and that they are sanctioned seriously for those matters, which they have admitted.
“Remember, this is the big difference between the Chelsea situations and say the Manchester City situations.
“The only job of an independent commission in respect to Chelsea would seem to be what should the sanction be?
“So, what are the mitigating factors and what are the aggravating factors, rather than did they do it?
“Because that seems to have been admitted, so we’ll just have to see.”
| Appearances | 352 |
| Goals | 110 |
| Assists | 88 |
| Trophies won | 6 |
Chelsea could agree Kevin De Bruyne deal
In terms of matters on the pitch, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider Chelsea are interested in re-signing Kevin De Bruyne.
The 33-year-old will be available on a free transfer once his contract at the Etihad expires on 30 June.
However, De Bruyne would have to take a pay cut to remain in the Premier League, with his Man City deal worth around £20million a year.
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