THE Football Association (FA) has charged Chelsea Football Club with 74 alleged rule breaches relating to agent payments, intermediaries, and third-party involvement in player transfers carried out between 2009 and 2022.
The sweeping charges focus on transactions during the Roman Abramovich era, particularly between the 2010-11 and 2015-16 seasons, a period that saw Chelsea sign some of the biggest stars in world football.
The FA confirmed that three of the transfers under review involve club legends Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto’o, and Willian, though there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the players themselves.
Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch who owned Chelsea from 2003 until he was forced to sell in 2022 following UK government sanctions, oversaw a period of unprecedented success for the club but also one now clouded by scrutiny over alleged financial mismanagement.
The charges centre on whether Chelsea made undisclosed payments to agents or third parties during player transfers, potentially breaching FA and FIFA regulations.
Chelsea have until 19 September to respond to the allegations.
The FA has a range of disciplinary options available, from fines to transfer embargoes, and in extreme cases, a points deduction, a punishment that could directly impact Chelsea’s current Premier League campaign.
However, sources within Chelsea suggest they do not expect a sporting sanction, citing their proactive approach and “unprecedented transparency” in dealing with the matter.
In a statement, Chelsea said the alleged breaches were identified during the due diligence process conducted ahead of the club’s takeover by the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium in 2022.
“Immediately upon the completion of the purchase, the club self-reported these matters to all relevant regulators, including the FA,” Chelsea said.
“The club has demonstrated unprecedented transparency during this process, including by giving comprehensive access to the club’s files and historical data.”
This cooperative stance may reduce the severity of any sanction imposed by the FA.
The FA’s action comes alongside an ongoing Premier League investigation into Chelsea’s finances. In 2023, the club was fined £8.6 million by UEFA for submitting incomplete financial information between 2012 and 2019, adding further context to the latest developments.
The transfers of Eden Hazard, Willian, and Samuel Eto’o, all completed in 2012 and 2013 are part of the case file.
Eden Hazard, signed from Lille for £32 million in 2012, went on to score 110 goals in 352 appearances, winning the Premier League twice before joining Real Madrid in 2019.
Willian, brought in from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, became a key figure under multiple Chelsea managers, scoring 63 goals in 339 appearances before moving to Arsenal in 2020.
Samuel Eto’o, a three-time Champions League winner, spent just one season at Stamford Bridge, netting 12 goals in 35 games.
There is no indication that the players were aware of or involved in any alleged wrongdoing.
Roman Abramovich’s era delivered five Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, and a host of domestic cups, but also left behind a complex legal and financial legacy.
Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government in March 2022 over alleged links to Russian President Vladimir Putin, allegations he has repeatedly denied. The sale of Chelsea was completed under a special licence, with £2.5 billion in proceeds frozen in a UK bank account.
In June 2023, the UK government threatened legal action to ensure the funds are used solely for Ukrainian humanitarian aid, not for “all victims of the war” as Abramovich initially pledged.
Chelsea must formally respond to the FA by the September 19 deadline. The case will then proceed to an independent disciplinary panel, which will determine whether any sanctions will be applied.
Football analysts believe the outcome could set a precedent for financial governance in English football, particularly given that Chelsea self-reported the breaches and have been cooperating fully with investigators.