Chelsea at risk of points deduction over secret payments?

By Ben Sully | 16 November 2023

Chelsea are reportedly at risk of a points deduction after leaked files reveal secret payments made by former owner Roman Abramovich.

Chelsea could reportedly be handed a points deduction due to an ongoing investigation into alleged secret payments by former owner Roman Abramovich.

The Premier League are already investigating alleged financial breaches regarding secret payments made by Chelsea to offshore companies.

Todd Boehly's consortium discovered the payments when they were in the process of purchasing the club from Abramovich and subsequently reported the anomalies to the Football Association, Premier League and UEFA.

A recent report claimed that the Premier League were looking at Willian and Samuel Eto'o's transfers from Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013.

Financial records allegedly show that payments, separate from any transfer fee, were made to "Russian entities".

Chelsea co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly in the stands before the match on August 13, 2023 © Reuters

The Football Association are also believed to be investigating the club, while UEFA have already issued a £8.6m fine, but any further scrutiny will be limited because Europan football's governing body can only focus on evidence from the last three years.

Now following an investigation by The Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, further secret payments have come to light.

Leaked documents reportedly show a number of payments worth tens of millions of pounds delivered through offshore entities owned by Abramovich.

The secret transactions raise questions about whether Chelsea breached any rules, including Financial Fair Play regulations.

Belgium's Eden Hazard acknowledges fans at half time after retiring from the national team on June 17, 2023 © Reuters

There is a risk that the investigation could result in punishments being handed out to Chelsea, such as a points deduction.

Possible beneficiaries are the agent of former Blues attacker Eden Hazard, an associate of ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte and several other individuals linked with the club.

Abramovich, who bought the West London club in 2003, oversaw the most successful period in Chelsea's history before he was forced to sell up in 2022 after being placed under sanctions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Under his ownership, the Blues won five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three EFL Cups, two Champions League trophies, two Europa League titles, a UEFA Super Cup and a Club World Cup.