Chelsea have been fined £10 million and handed a suspended two-window transfer ban after being found guilty of multiple breaches of the Football Association’s regulations on football agents, intermediaries and third-party investment in players.
The sanctions were announced by the FA on Friday after the club admitted to 74 breaches of FA Rule E1.2, which were self-reported by Chelsea’s current ownership following its takeover of the club.
In a statement, the FA said, “A financial sanction of £10 million and a suspended two-window registration ban have been imposed on Chelsea FC for breaches of The Football Association Football Agent Regulations, Regulations on Working with Intermediaries and Third Party Investment in Players Regulations.”
The governing body added that Chelsea admitted the breaches before an independent Regulatory Commission, while investigations into individuals connected to the case remain ongoing.
“The FA charged Chelsea FC with 74 breaches of FA Rule E1.2 after its current ownership self-reported misconduct upon its purchase of the club. The FA is continuing to investigate individual misconduct arising out of this case,” the statement read.
According to the FA, the Regulatory Commission initially imposed a six-point deduction, suspended until June 30, 2027, in addition to the £10 million fine.
Chelsea appealed the suspended points deduction, however, and an independent Appeal Board overturned that sanction after a further hearing.
“The club appealed against the suspended points deduction and an independent Appeal Board allowed the appeal and set aside this sanction following a further hearing. In its place, the Appeal Board imposed a registration ban for two complete and consecutive transfer windows, which is suspended until June 30, 2027,” the FA said.
The governing body noted that Chelsea did not challenge the financial penalty and confirmed that the money would be directed towards grassroots football development.
“The £10 million fine imposed by the Regulatory Commission was not subject to appeal and the full amount will be invested into grassroots football,” the FA added.
The breaches relate to the FA’s Football Agent Regulations, Regulations on Working with Intermediaries and Third Party Investment in Players Regulations. Although the violations occurred before Chelsea’s current owners took over the club, they were later uncovered and voluntarily disclosed by the new ownership.
