Chelsea charged with 74 FA rule breaches linked to Abramovich-era dealings

The Football Association has charged Chelsea FC with 74 alleged breaches of its rules on working with agents and third-party investment in players, saying the conduct primarily relates to the 2010/11 through 2015/16 playing seasons.

The FA said the charges relate to Regulations J1 and C2 of The FA Football Agents Regulations, Regulations A2 and A3 of The FA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries, and Regulations A1 and B3 of The FA Third Party Investment in Players Regulations, covering conduct between 2009 and 2022. Chelsea has until 19 September 2025 to respond to the charges.

Daily Mail Sport and the FA said the issues were first identified by Chelsea’s current owners, the Todd Boehly-led consortium, during a due diligence process ahead of completing their purchase of the club on 30 May 2022. The ownership group reported potentially incomplete financial reporting and other possible breaches to the FA and other regulators immediately after completion, according to a club statement.

"Chelsea FC 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 said. "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. Immediately upon the completion of the purchase, the club self-reported these matters to all relevant regulators, including The FA."

The FA did not detail each alleged breach in its initial announcement, but noted that the conduct under scrutiny "primarily relates to events which occurred between the 2010/11 to 2015/16 playing seasons." Chelsea will have the opportunity to respond to the full list of charges before the FA determines next steps.

The FA has a range of sanctions available in such cases, including sporting penalties such as points deductions or transfer bans, as well as fines. Officials said the club has cooperated with the probe, providing comprehensive access to files and historical data, which the club highlighted in its statement.

"The club has demonstrated unprecedented transparency during this process, including by giving comprehensive access to the club’s files and historical data. We will continue working collaboratively with The FA to conclude this matter as swiftly as possible," Chelsea added.

A separate investigation by the Premier League into historical matters involving the club remains ongoing.

The charges reopen scrutiny of transfer and intermediary arrangements from the Roman Abramovich era, a period that spanned the club’s substantial spending and on-field success. With the response deadline set for 19 September, the FA will consider Chelsea’s submissions before deciding whether to pursue disciplinary proceedings, accept remedial measures or impose sanctions.

Further developments are expected once Chelsea files its formal response and the FA outlines the specific breaches in greater detail.