Chelsea are actively negotiating with the Premier League to avoid potential points deduction following the discovery of secret payments made during Roman Abramovich's ownership era, according to The Times.
The investigation centers around transfer dealings from 2012 and 2013, specifically focusing on the signings of Willian and Samuel Eto'o from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, which involved payments to Russian entities separate from the transfer fees. The arrival of Eden Hazard from Lille during this period is also under scrutiny.
The financial irregularities came to light during the 2022 takeover by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, who promptly reported the findings to both the Premier League and UEFA. Chelsea's current administration argues that since these rule breaches occurred under former owner Abramovich's regime, severe punishments such as points deduction should not be imposed on the current setup.
In 2023, UEFA already took action by fining Chelsea £8.6million ($10.7m) for illegal payments made to agents and players. The club is now optimistic about reaching a similar financial settlement with the Premier League, with negotiations expected to conclude before the end of March 2025.
However, this situation has raised concerns about consistency in punishment across the league. The possibility of Chelsea avoiding a points deduction could prove controversial, particularly given recent cases where both Everton and Nottingham Forest faced point deductions for financial fair play breaches. This disparity in treatment could potentially "raise eyebrows" among supporters of other clubs, highlighting the complex nature of financial regulation in English football.
