‘Need to be docked points’ – Finance expert shares update as Chelsea at risk of legal action from Premier League rivals
Chelsea’s rivals may consider suing the Blues if they are docked points after being charged by the FA.
That is the verdict of football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that Todd Boehly and BlueCo were aware of this becoming an issue, and that they had put steps in place to deal with it.
Chelsea were charged by the FA on 11 September due to 74 alleged rule breaches relating to agent payments between 2009 and 2022.
Chelsea have been under investigation since Boehly and BlueCo bought the club in 2022, after the West London club reported themselves to FIFA, UEFA, and the FA.
A settlement was reached with UEFA, due to there being a statute of limitations on how far back the European governing body could look into the alleged breach, but no such limitations exist for the FA.
Everton and Nottingham Forest have both been handed points deductions in recent seasons for breaching financial regulations, and Chelsea suffers the same fate; their rivals may look to pounce.
Points deduction necessary for Chelsea’s rivals to sue
Burnley are suing Everton for £50million, claiming that they are owed compensation as a consequence of their relegation.
The Toffees were found to have breached profit and sustainability rules (PSR) in the 2021-22 season, but only received a points deduction in November 2023 having escaped the drop at the expense of the Clarets.
Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Plumley explained that a similar response for Chelsea’s rivals could happen if the Blues are handed a points deduction, but that seemed unlikely at this stage.
“To get to that stage, Chelsea would need to be docked points, and what that would have to mean is that the commission is basically saying that they’ve gained a sporting advantage through these payments.
“I think at this stage, that looks unlikely, given what we’ve seen.
“There is a precedent set where UEFA fined them for incomplete financial reporting, and from what we can see, they’ve had an independent accountant look at it, and they would have still been PSR compliant.
“It seems like more of a tax issue, if anything, but also they’ve been in dialogue with HMRC.
“The new owners sort of knew this was on the radar, so they’ve put steps in place to look at it.
“I think it is unlikely at this stage, and I think to get to that point, as I say, the commission would have to find Chelsea not just guilty of the charges, but they would have to infer that they’ve gained a sporting advantage through those payments.
“That would probably mean then a points deduction, which then means that other clubs might look to challenge.”
Chelsea working hard to get rid of Raheem Sterling
Having already been fined by UEFA for failing to comply with their financial rules, the Blues will be keenly aware of their need to avoid yet more sanctions.
As such, there is a need to get rid of high earners who are not contributing at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will be working hard to move Raheem Sterling on this season, Plumley told Football Insider previously, having failed to sell the winger this summer.
The England international is no longer training with the first-team squad and Maresca has made clear there is no way back for the ex-Man City man in West London.