After an investigation into financial irregularities linked to transfers made during the tenure of Russian magnate Roman Abramovich, the Premier League severely sanctioned Chelsea. The agency confirmed million-dollar economic punishment and sports measures that could affect the London team in the
coming years.
As reported by the English league, between 2011 and 2018, unreported payments were made to players, unregistered agents and third parties linked to different transfer operations for around 47.5 million pounds sterling. After analyzing the case, the English league and the club reached a sanctioning agreement
.
“The Premier League and Chelsea FC have reached a sanctioning agreement under which theclub accepts a fine of 10 million pounds sterling and a temporary one-year first-team transfer ban (with a two-year suspension),” the agency said in a statement.
The irregularities occurred under Abramovich's rule
The sanction implies that, if the club breaks the rules again during that two-year period, it must complete a full season without being able to add players for the first team. In addition, the institution must bear all the costs of research and disciplinary processes
.
In parallel, a nine-month restriction was also established for registering players in youth divisions that come from clubs in the Premier League or the English Football League, a measure that does not affect the current professional squad or international signings.
The irregularities were detected after the club's current leadership, led by American businessman Todd Boehly, submitted documentation to the English football authorities. According to Chelsea himself, the investigation began after a voluntary self-report that made it possible to review operations carried out during the previous administration
.
“The club is grateful for the recognition by the Premier League of its exceptional cooperation and that without these voluntary disclosures and the act of self-information,it is possible that several of the violations would never have come to the attention of the League,” the institution said in its official statement.
Chelsea will not be able to sign youth players from other Premier or EFL clubs for nine months
The league also clarified that, even if the questioned payments had been included in the corresponding financial reports, Chelsea would not have exceeded the loss limit allowed by the rules of profitability
and sustainability.
However, the case is not yet completely closed, since the English Federation is keeping a parallel disciplinary process open for possible violations related to the same events.
