Chelsea charged with multiple FA breaches over agent payments

Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association with 74 alleged rule breaches related to payments to agents between 2009 and 2022.

The charges are primarily focused on events which occurred between the 2010-11 to 2015-16 seasons.

The alleged rule breaches are around agents, intermediaries and third-party investments in players.

Chelsea have until 19 September to respond.

Russian oligarch, Roman Abramovich was in control of the club from 2003 to 2022. He sold Chelsea to a consortium led by American investor Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital last year.

“Chelsea FC is pleased to confirm that its engagement with The FA concerning matters that were self-reported by the club is now reaching a conclusion.

“The Club’s ownership group completed its purchase of the club on 30 May 2022. During a thorough due diligence process prior to completion of the purchase, the ownership group became aware of potentially incomplete financial reporting concerning historical transactions and other potential breaches of FA rules.

“Immediately upon the completion of the purchase, the Club self-reported these matters to all relevant regulators, including The FA.

“The Club has demonstrated unprecedented transparency during this process, including by giving comprehensive access to the Club’s files and historical data. We will continue working collaboratively with The FA to conclude this matter as swiftly as possible. We wish to place on record our gratitude to The FA for their engagement with the Club on this complex case, the focus of which has been on matters that took place over a decade ago,” Chelsea wrote in a statement.

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