Chelsea have escaped a potentially damaging points deduction after successfully overturning the punishment through an appeal, although the club have still been fined £10million over historic financial rule breaches dating back to the Roman Abramovich era.
The Football Association confirmed on Friday that the Blues admitted 74 breaches relating to football agent regulations, intermediary rules and third-party investment in players following an investigation into transactions completed between 2009 and 2022.
Despite initially being handed a six-point deduction by an independent Regulatory Commission, Chelsea appealed the sporting sanction and won.
The Appeal Board overturned the points penalty, replacing it with a suspended two-window transfer ban that will remain inactive until June 30, 2027, provided the club commits no further breaches.
The decision means Chelsea avoid any immediate impact on their Premier League campaign, although they have still been hit with a £10million financial penalty.
The FA confirmed the money will be invested into grassroots football.
They also revealed that investigations into individuals connected to the case remain ongoing.
The charges centred on historic payments involving agents and third-party transactions completed during Abramovich’s ownership of the club.
Chelsea have escaped a potentially damaging points deduction after successfully overturning the punishment through an appeal, although the club have still been fined £10million over historic financial rule breaches dating back to the Roman Abramovich era
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Among the high-profile transfers linked to the investigation were deals involving Eden Hazard, Willian, Ramires, David Luiz and Samuel Eto’o.
Chelsea admitted all 74 breaches, with the case relating to approximately £47million in unlawful payments.
None of the players involved have been accused of any wrongdoing.
Current owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital voluntarily reported the historic issues shortly after completing their takeover of the club in 2022, having uncovered concerns during a forensic review of Chelsea’s finances.
Roman Abramovich sold Chelsea back in 2022
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The club has consistently maintained it worked fully with football’s authorities throughout the investigation, supplying thousands of documents as part of the process.
In a statement, Chelsea said: “Chelsea Football Club is pleased to confirm that a final decision has been reached by The FA’s judicial bodies in relation to historical regulatory matters that were self-reported by the club.
“In 2022, the club self-reported potential historical rule breaches to all applicable regulators. Following that report, it has worked openly and transparently with all regulators, including voluntarily and proactively disclosing many thousands of documents.
“As previously announced, settlement agreements have been entered into with UEFA and the Premier League concerning the same self-reported regulatory matters and topics that have been addressed before. The club is pleased to confirm that, now The FA process has concluded, this brings all regulatory proceedings against the club to a close.
“We are grateful to UEFA, the Premier League and The FA for their engagement with the club throughout these processes.”
Chelsea had already reached separate agreements with UEFA and the Premier League over the same historical matters.
The club accepted an £8million settlement with UEFA in 2023 before agreeing to a £10.75m Premier League fine earlier this year, which also included a suspended senior transfer ban and restrictions on academy recruitment.
Chelsea signed Eden Hazard in 2012 under controversial circumstances | GETTY
BlueCo, Chelsea’s ownership group, had anticipated potential sanctions after purchasing the club, reportedly retaining £150m from the £4.25bn takeover as protection against possible regulatory penalties.
Confirming Friday’s outcome, the FA said: “A financial sanction of £10 million and a suspended two-window registration ban have been imposed on Chelsea FC for breaches of The Football Association Football Agent Regulations, Regulations on Working with Intermediaries and Third Party Investment in Players Regulations.
“Chelsea FC admitted to the 74 breaches of FA Rule E1.2 prior to a hearing and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed a six-point deduction, which was to be suspended until 30 June 2027, and a £10 million fine.
“The club appealed against the suspended points deduction and an independent Appeal Board allowed the appeal and set aside this sanction following a further hearing.”
