Chelsea could be facing further punishment after being hit with a transfer ban and a fine by the Premier League.
On Monday, it emerged that the Blues had been fined a record £10.75 million in relation to breaches involving previous transfer dealings over a seven-year period.
It was alleged that Chelsea made 74 breaches in total between 2011 and 2018 after an investigation into £47.5 million payments made in secret to agents and third parties associated with the two-time Champions League winners.
Moves involving big names like Eden Hazard, Nemanja Matic, Willian, Ramirez David Luiz, Andre Schurrle, Nemanja Matic and Samuel Eto’o were all investigated – with the players not accused of any wrongdoing.
Four other players had their names redacted in the report.
Chelsea, owned by BlueCo and Todd Boehly, reported the financial irregularities to the Premier League, FA and UEFA upon purchasing the club in 2022 and have now been issued with two transfer bans – a one-year transfer ban suspended for two years and a nine-month suspension on signing academy players.
Chelsea self-reported the alleged breaches. Image: Getty
The club accepted the decision from the Independent commission and according to the BBC, the self-reporting has helped them avoid a two-year transfer ban.
The Premier League acknowledged their “exceptional cooperation” and “pro-active self-reporting” resulted in the fine being halved from £20 million.
However, there is still a separate pending investigation from the FA into the alleged breaches of their regulations.
The Daily Express state that they will not be hit with a points deduction despite the FA having the power to do so and will instead likely face an additional fine. The Times say that the FA’s investigation, which was announced in September, is nearing conclusion.
The judgement announced by the Premier League said: “The investigation determined, and the club has similarly admitted, that the payments made… occurred with the knowledge and approval of certain senior former officers and/or directors of the club; were made via the third party entities with funds which, it is understood, were controlled by or associated with the then owner of the club, Mr Roman Abramovich.”
Chelsea said they are “pleased that the matter is now concluded”.
Currently sixth in the Premier League, Chelsea lost their most recent game to Newcastle at Stamford Bridge. They return to action on Tuesday night when they take on Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 second leg.
Chelsea trail 5-2 from the first leg at the Parc des Princes last week and Liam Rosenior does not believe the news is an welcome distraction for the clash.
Speaking in his press conference, he said: “It’s not a negative distraction. Actually, that’s a line drawn through that issue and we can move on and plan to make this club as strong as possible in the long-term. That’s the idea from the ownership, myself and everybody involved in the club.”