Keith Wyness shares verdict on Chelsea landing points deduction after admission
Chelsea will have one thing go in their favour when a disciplinary hearing on alleged breaches is concluded.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, amid Chelsea’s disciplinary hearing into 74 alleged breaches relating to payments to agents between 2009 and 2022.
Chelsea could appeal a points deduction, which is a possible punishment which could hit Enzo Maresca’s side on the pitch.
The investigation into Chelsea by an independent regulatory commission is due to end, although it’s unclear when the verdict will be publicly announced.
‘Very strong mitigating factors’ in Chelsea case
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 – believes Chelsea will only be hit with a “financial penalty.”
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks Chelsea have helped themselves by reporting the breaches.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, I think what’s going to go in Chelsea’s favour is that they were the ones that reported these breaches as such. It all happened also under previous owners.
“So I think those are very strong mitigating factors. I think Chelsea are expecting a financial penalty rather than a sporting sanction of points.
“And I’ve got to agree, I think that’s probably what will end up being the case. Given Todd Boehly and his partner’s positions in terms of rather deep pockets.“
Chelsea could hit further complications
Chelsea must also be wary of breaching UEFA’s multi-club rules, with clubs told they must comply to the regulations by March 1st.
Blues owner Todd Boehly owns both Chelsea and Strasbourg, which could lead to issues if both clubs qualify for the same UEFA competition.
Strasbourg are currently seventh in Ligue 1, and look unlikely to qualify for the Champions League next season, but the French club could book a place in either the Europa League or Europa Conference League.