Chelsea about to face point deduction by PSR over financial issues

Chelsea FC is reportedly in negotiations with the Premier League to reach a financial settlement regarding an investigation into covert payments tied to player transfers during Roman Abramovich’s ownership. These payments relate to transfers of players such as Willian, Samuel Eto’o, and Eden Hazard.

In 2023, The Times disclosed that the Premier League was examining unusual payments related to Chelsea’s acquisition of Willian for £32 million and Samuel Eto’o from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013. Financial documents revealed that both transfers involved additional payments to Russian entities that were not included in the official transfer fees.

The inquiry also examined Eden Hazard’s move from Lille in 2012. A recent report indicates that Chelsea is negotiating with the Premier League to resolve the issue financially, potentially avoiding penalties like a points deduction. The club’s new owners, who took over in 2022, uncovered these payments during the acquisition process and reported them to both the Premier League and UEFA.

Chelsea is optimistic about reaching a resolution similar to the £8.6 million settlement with UEFA in 2023, which stemmed from incomplete financial reporting under Abramovich’s ownership. Despite the severity of these covert payments, Chelsea asserts that they occurred under the previous owners, and the current ownership only discovered them during an extensive review.

In response to the allegations, Chelsea’s current owners have clarified that these matters predate their time in charge. They pointed out that the payments involved entities believed to be controlled by Abramovich, rather than individuals presently at the club. Chelsea confirmed that during the due diligence process before acquiring the club in May 2022, they identified potential financial reporting issues and promptly informed the relevant football authorities.

The club reiterated its commitment to complete transparency and cooperation with ongoing investigations, reassuring supporters that it is taking steps to comply with all football regulations in the future.