Chelsea face 74 charges over agent payments

[Fauxstralian]

Chelsea owners reported these off the book payments discovered during the due diligence conducted by the new owners when purchasing the club from Putin's bag man
Taken a long time for this open and shut case to result in charges.
Requires a substantial points deduction and an extensive transfer embargo


bbc
Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association with 74 alleged rule breaches related to payments to agents between 2009 and 2022.The charges are primarily focused on events which occurred between the 2010-11 and 2015-16 seasons.Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich was in control of the club from 2003 to 2022, before selling Chelsea to a consortium led by American investor Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital.The alleged rule breaches concern agents, intermediaries and third-party investments in players.Chelsea, who said they had reported the potential rule breaches to the FA themselves, have until 19 September to respond.There are a wide range of options available to sanction Chelsea, including a fine, transfer embargo and points deduction. However, the Blues' high level of co-operation will be factored in."During a thorough due diligence process prior to completion of the purchase, the ownership group became aware of potentially incomplete financial reporting concerning historical transactions and other potential breaches of FA rules," Chelsea said."Immediately upon the completion of the purchase, the club self-reported these matters to all relevant regulators, including the FA."The club has demonstrated unprecedented transparency during this process, including by giving comprehensive access to the club's files and historical data."

[Fauxstralian]

I always said the government should have seized the loan account where Abramovich had laundered money through Chelsea along with his shares
Forget the amount but it should have been called in for repayment by Chelsea
Obviously that would have seen them in liquidation
Chelsea AFC could have restarted in the 10th tier playing on Battersea Park with jumpers for goal posts 

[Mike Oxsaw]

While I'm enjoying Chelsea squirming over this, it's also a can of worms.

No question about it: many clubs in Europe have done this sort of thing in the past, and it's probably still going on in some form.

I'm not saying it's OK - at all. But there's no way that Chelsea are the only culprits.

So, open the can and let the birds feast.

The then empty can can (ooh-la-la!) be kicked down the road and into the long grass as often as people like.

[southbankbornnbred]

While I'm enjoying Chelsea squirming over this, it's also a can of worms.

No question about it: many clubs in Europe have done this sort of thing in the past, and it's probably still going on in some form.

I'm not saying it's OK - at all. But there's no way that Chelsea are the only culprits.

[Mike Oxsaw]

Chelsea want to be participating in Europe next year.

Chelsea's fans want Chelsea to be participating in Europe next year.

Chelsea's owners want Chelsea to be participating in Europe next year.

The only one that matters is that football's authorities want Chelsea to be participating in Europe next year.

The problem is that footballs "authorities" are clearly the media, and most definitely not (any of) the various sporting associations involved.

They'll get a slapped wrist and a footnote about it somewhere on the inside pages of the sports sections.

[Pub Bigot]

Ludicrous that Chelsea reckon they should have a minimal penalty as they have cooperated 
The ownership that committed the crimes didn’t cooperate AT ALL 

Was reading that Eden Hazard had agreed to join Arsenal until Chelsea made secret off the books payments to his agent
Obviously that had an enormous effect of illegally benefiting Chelsea on the pitch
Id reckon a 50pt deduction and a fine equal to all the illegal payments should be imposed
Plus a 3 year transfer ban

Not harsh enough. They need to be closed down. 

[Fauxstralian]

Ludicrous that Chelsea reckon they should have a minimal penalty as they have cooperated 
The ownership that committed the crimes didn’t cooperate AT ALL 

Was reading that Eden Hazard had agreed to join Arsenal until Chelsea made secret off the books payments to his agent
Obviously that had an enormous effect of illegally benefiting Chelsea on the pitch
Id reckon a 50pt deduction and a fine equal to all the illegal payments should be imposed
Plus a 3 year transfer ban

[Pub Bigot]

I'd love nothing more than Chelsea to get hit with a 'substantial points deduction'. The Chelsea fans I know are all indignant about the charges claiming that they should be voided as their new owners were transparent about the previous ownerships crimes, forgetting that the club still flouted the rules irrespective of who was running the club, and will justifiably receive a proportional punishment. 

If they aren't punished then it will confirm the bias towards the 'bigger' clubs. 

I wonder if they are charged whether the Chelsea fans will still have reverence for Roman Abramovic? 

Wanker club followed by wankers. 

[El Scorchio]

Fuck all will come of it.

[Lee Trundle]

I'm sure the FA will make some room for them.

[violator]

Hopefully they get shot down, to keep things topical.