Breakdown of Chelsea’s 74 charges and what could follow

Chelsea’s recent troubles with the Football Association have intensified, with the club charged 74 times for alleged breaches relating to agent payments and third-party investment rules. The charges, according to the FA, concern events that took place between 2009 and 2022, with the focus largely on the Abramovich era.

The accusations involve millions of pounds in payments tied to transfers that were not registered in the accounts submitted to the FA, UEFA or the Premier League. Among the high-profile deals under scrutiny are Eden Hazard’s £32 million arrival from Lille in 2012, as well as the transfers of Willian and Samuel Eto’o from Anzhi Makhachkala a year later. There is no suggestion that the players themselves were involved in any wrongdoing.

When the Todd Boehly-Clearlake consortium purchased Chelsea in May 2022, £100 million was withheld from the £2.5 billion deal amid fears of “unforeseen liabilities”. The new owners subsequently reported irregularities to the governing bodies after uncovering discrepancies during their due diligence process.

Chelsea’s statement read: “Chelsea is pleased to confirm that its engagement with the FA concerning matters that were self-reported by the club is now reaching a conclusion… The club has demonstrated unprecedented transparency during this process, including by giving comprehensive access to the club’s files and historical data.”

Club insiders argue that the findings are closer to a tax issue than a breach of sporting integrity, with a settlement already agreed with HMRC. Even if the payments had been fully declared, independent accountants reportedly concluded Chelsea would still have passed profit and sustainability thresholds.

Punishments range from financial penalties to harsher measures such as points deductions or transfer bans. Yet Chelsea’s decision to co-operate fully and self-report could work in their favour. UEFA had already fined the club £8.6 million in 2023 for incomplete financial reporting, and the west London side hope the independent commission will follow a similar path with another financial sanction rather than sporting consequences.

Historical cases show that fines are often preferred for breaches involving intermediaries, though Chelsea’s scale of alleged irregularities is far larger. Wigan, Brighton and Reading all faced fines between £40,000 and £200,000 in similar but smaller-scale cases.

The club has until 19 September to respond, though an extension is possible given the number of charges. An independent panel will then decide whether to uphold or dismiss each allegation. While the process may take months, Chelsea’s hierarchy remain hopeful of a resolution that avoids lasting sporting damage.

The situation is a reminder of how a new era can still be shaped by the shadows of the past. For Chelsea, the path forward depends not only on transparency but also on how lenient the FA is prepared to be.