Daijiworld Media Network - London
London, Jul 31: Chelsea have been fined £10 million by the Football Association (FA) and handed a suspended two-transfer-window registration ban after admitting multiple historical breaches of regulations relating to football agents, intermediaries and third-party investment in players.
The sanctions follow an FA investigation launched after Chelsea's current ownership voluntarily disclosed potential irregularities uncovered during an internal review following the club's takeover in 2022.
According to the FA, Chelsea admitted to 74 breaches of FA Rule E1.2 before an independent Regulatory Commission. The violations related to rules governing football agents, intermediaries and third-party investment in players.
The Regulatory Commission initially imposed a £10 million fine along with a six-point deduction, with the sporting sanction suspended until June 30, 2027.
Chelsea appealed only against the points deduction, following which an independent Appeal Board replaced it with a suspended registration ban covering two consecutive transfer windows, also effective until June 30, 2027.
The financial penalty remains unchanged and was not challenged during the appeal process. The FA said the entire £10 million fine will be used to support grassroots football initiatives across England.
The governing body also confirmed that investigations into the conduct of individuals connected with the case are continuing.
The admitted breaches relate to activities that took place before the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium acquired Chelsea from former owner Roman Abramovich in 2022.
Following the takeover, the club's new ownership conducted an internal review of historical transactions and voluntarily reported its findings to football authorities.
As the registration ban has been suspended, Chelsea will remain eligible to sign players unless they commit further regulatory violations before June 30, 2027.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are preparing for the new season under head coach Xabi Alonso, who has been tasked with rebuilding the side after the club finished sixth in the Premier League last season and failed to secure direct qualification for the UEFA Champions League.