Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association with 74 alleged rule breaches relating to payments made to agents between 2009 and 2022. The FA charges are mainly focused on transfers during the 2010-11 to 2015-16 seasons when Roman Abramovich was still the owner of the club.
The allegations cover breaches involving agents, intermediaries, and third-party investments in players. Notably, three transfers being scrutinized include deals involving Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto’o, and Willian. However, there is no suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of the players themselves.
The club have until 19 September 2025 to officially respond to the FA charges. Despite the seriousness of the case, the club remains confident due to their own transparency and cooperation throughout the investigation.
Chelsea’s FA Charges Key Details:
- Governing Body: Football Association (FA)
- Number of Charges: 74
- Period Investigated: 2009 – 2022
- Main Seasons Involved: 2010/11 – 2015/16
- High-Profile Transfers: Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto’o, Willian
- Former Owner: Roman Abramovich (2003 – 2022)
- Current Owners: Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital (since 2022)
- Possible Sanctions: Fine, transfer embargo, or points deduction
- Chelsea’s Position: Club self-reported breaches, cooperating fully with FA investigation
Chelsea’s Response to the FA Charges
Chelsea have stressed that they were the ones to self-report these potential breaches. Following the takeover in 2022 by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, the club conducted a due diligence review and uncovered possible irregularities in financial reporting related to historical agent payments.
Immediately after the takeover, Chelsea disclosed these issues to relevant regulators, including the FA. The club released a statement highlighting their “unprecedented transparency,” stating that they gave the FA access to historical files and data to ensure the matter could be resolved swiftly.
Chelsea believe their high level of cooperation will play a major role in how any sanctions are decided. Current indications suggest that while fines are possible, sporting sanctions like a points deduction or transfer ban appear less likely.
Roman Abramovich controlled the club between 2003 and 2022, a period in which the club enjoyed enormous success on the pitch. During his time, Chelsea won five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two Champions Leagues, two Europa Leagues, and three League Cups.
However, this era has now come under scrutiny due to the FA charges. While Abramovich transformed Chelsea into one of the biggest clubs in Europe, the financial dealings with agents during his ownership are now at the centre of the investigation.
The FA confirmed that the 74 charges are linked to violations of Football Agent Regulations, Intermediary Rules, and Third-Party Investment in Players regulations. The period in question largely overlaps with Abramovich’s ownership before the sale to Boehly and Clearlake Capital in 2022.
Chelsea’s Current Outlook
Despite the ongoing FA charges, the club maintain that the issues relate to historic transactions that predate the current ownership. The club has made it clear they factored in potential financial penalties when the sale was completed in 2022.
Sources close to Chelsea have also insisted that any fines or punishments will not affect their compliance with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The club continues to spend heavily on recruitment under the Boehly-Clearlake era but remains confident about staying within financial guidelines.
The FA charges add to a difficult few years for the club in terms of off-pitch matters. In 2023, the club was fined £8.6m by UEFA for submitting incomplete financial information between 2012 and 2019.
What Happens Next?
Chelsea now have until 19 September 2025 to provide their full response to the FA. The governing body will then decide on the scale of punishment. While sanctions could technically include transfer embargoes or points deductions, the Blues are optimistic that their transparency will mitigate the severity.
The case remains complex and could take months before a final outcome is reached. The Premier League has also confirmed that its separate investigation into Chelsea’s finances is still ongoing.
FAQs
1. How many FA charges are Chelsea facing?
Chelsea are facing 74 FA charges over alleged breaches relating to agent payments and financial reporting.
2. What period do the charges cover?
The charges cover transactions between 2009 and 2022, with most cases linked to the 2010/11 to 2015/16 seasons.
3. Who was the club’s owner during the period under investigation?
Roman Abramovich owned Chelsea during this time, from 2003 until the club’s sale in 2022.
4. Could Chelsea face a points deduction or transfer ban?
While technically possible, Chelsea believe their transparency and cooperation mean they are more likely to face financial penalties rather than sporting sanctions.