Once again, Chelsea is confronted with the possibility of a points deduction as leaked documents reveal alleged secret payments from the Roman Abramovich era. The Premier League is already scrutinizing the club for suspected financial breaches reported by the Todd Boehly consortium, who assumed control in May 2022. Recent revelations shed light on alleged payments linked to the transfers of Willian and Samuel Eto’o, with no implication that the players were aware. These payments supposedly went to Suleiman Kerimov, the former owner of Anzhi Makhachkala, the selling club.
Previously fined £8.6 million by UEFA for “incomplete financial information” from 2012 to 2019, Chelsea faces fresh allegations. An investigation by The Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, using leaked documents, suggests a series of undisclosed payments that may breach financial fair play and accounting rules. Over a decade, Chelsea is accused of utilizing offshore accounts connected to Abramovich for payments amounting to tens of millions of pounds. These payments reportedly extended beyond the Willian and Eto’o transfers to accounts linked to individuals associated with Chelsea.
Among the alleged transactions, documents claim that an Abramovich-owned account in the British Virgin Islands transferred €7 million (£6.1 million) to a Dubai account in March 2013. The recipient, John Bico-Penaque, the agent of Eden Hazard, who had recently joined Chelsea in a £32 million transfer from Lille. Another claim suggests an offshore account owned by Abramovich paid £10 million for a 75% stake in a Delaware-based business owned by Federico Pastorello, an Italian football agent with ties to Antonio Conte. This occurred on the same day Conte signed a new contract as Chelsea manager in July 2017.
Despite the Boehly consortium self-reporting potential issues to the FA, Premier League, and UEFA during their due diligence, Chelsea could face fines or a points deduction. The Premier League is investigating the club’s finances from 2012 to 2019, and the FA is also looking into the allegations. UEFA, having already issued a fine, is less likely to impose additional penalties as it can only address issues from the past three years.
Chelsea did not respond to Mirror Football’s request for comment. In a previous statement, the club asserted that the allegations pertain to the former owner’s era and entities not presently associated with the club. The ownership group, having acquired the club in May 2022, proactively reported potential financial reporting discrepancies to regulators, emphasizing their commitment to compliance and transparency. The club is actively cooperating with ongoing investigations.
Chelsea performance and stats
Chelsea
Chelsea is currently 10th in the Premier League with 16 points.
In the last 12 games, it has won 4 times, drawn 4 times, and lost 4 times. In its last match, Chelsea drawn 4-4 against Manchester City.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 21 goals and conceding 16.
Chelsea will play the next match in Premier League against Newcastle United on Saturday 25th of November in Newcastle upon Tyne.
