Chelsea are appealing to the Premier League to avoid points deductions over Roman Abramovich’s secret payments

Chelsea are in ongoing discussions with the Premier League to avoid a points deduction for alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations during Roman Abramovich’s ownership of the club, according to multiple reports.

Bought by a Russian billionaire Chelsea in the summer of 2003 and pumped a small proportion of his fortune into the club over the next two decades, propelling the Blues to five Premier League titles and two Champions League titles. Abramovich He was accused To circumvent the financial rules that were put in place during his tenure to achieve this success.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the former governor of Chukotka was forced to relinquish control of the club which was eventually bought for £2.5bn by BlueCo, a joint investment group led by Todd Bohle and Clearlake Capital. After reviewing the club’s accounts, the new owners cited “incomplete financial reports.”

According to leaked documents I published The Guardian In November 2023, these offenses related to secret payments made during transfers that led to the arrival of Eden Hazard (in 2012) as well as Willian and Samuel Eto’o (both 2013). An alleged assistant to former Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is also believed to have benefited from these secret bonuses which were not recorded to avoid Financial Fair Play breaches.

Premier League CEO Richard Masters described theses as “something historic” in August.

If these allegations of cheating in the system are proven, Chelsea would theoretically be at risk of a points deduction. After all, that was the punishment imposed on Everton and Nottingham Forest last season for wasteful spending. but, The times He claims Chelsea are in ongoing talks with the Premier League to avoid that harsh penalty and instead settle the case with a cash fine.

Telegraph They went so far as to claim that talks have progressed and club insiders insist they will avoid losing any points.

Chelsea’s defense stems from the transparency approach taken by the new owners. The irregularities were highlighted during the due diligence process undertaken prior to the forced sale of the club and were brought to the attention of the FA, Premier League and UEFA.

At the time of the sale, BlueCo held a reserve of £150 million to cover any fines that may be imposed as a result of these potential behavioral breaches.

Hazard was signed from Lille for a reported £32m, while Willian (£30m) and Eto’o (free transfer) arrived from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala a day after each other in August 2013. There are claims that the latter two deals included advance payments. To “Russian entities” separate from any of them transformation expenses.

The times It is claimed that discussion of the issue is still ongoing and a result is expected to be reached before the end of March, while Telegraph The timeline indicates that a resolution will be reached in the “next few weeks.”

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