Chelsea are now under scrutiny again. The Football Association (FA) has charged them with 74 breaches of rules. These are about agents, intermediaries and third-party ownership. These alleged breaches span from 2009 to 2022. All of them almost when they were under Roman Abramovich.
What Exactly are They Accused of?
The Blues are accused of making undisclosed or hidden payments to agents or intermediaries. They are charged with using unregistered agents. Also charged is allowing third parties to have too much influence over player deals. Some famous transfers are under the microscope: Eden Hazard, Willian, Samuel Eto’o. The FA says many breaches happened between seasons 2010-11 to 2015-16.
How did they respond?
When the current ownership (BlueCo, with Todd Boehly & Clearlake) bought the club in 2022, they found possible irregularities during takeover checks. They then self-reported these to the FA, UEFA and the Premier League. The Blues say they have cooperated fully, shared all files and data required. They also withheld about £100 million from the purchase price to cover possible liabilities.
What could happen to Chelsea
The Blues must reply to these charges by September 19, 2025. Possible punishments include a fine, maybe a transfer ban, or even points deduction. But many believe because Chelsea self-reported and have been transparent, they might get a lighter sanction. The FA has said it will set up an independent regulatory commission to decide.
Why this matters for the future
These events matter far beyond courtrooms and press lines. Big penalties could hurt Chelsea’s ability to buy players or manage debts. Reputation is also at stake. Fans will want clarity. Sponsors, investors, rivals will watch closely. This case may reshape rules for all big clubs. If Chelsea are penalised, it could set a precedent.
Author’s Insight
The Blues are walking a fine line. Their choice to self-report was smart. It shows willingness to be clean and open. That may buy them mercy. But transparency won’t erase past mistakes. Even a fine or ban will sting. The real test is how Chelsea rebuild trust, tighten oversight, and ensure rules aren’t broken again. If they handle this well, they could emerge stronger. If not, the damage could be lasting.
