Stefan Borson
Fri 2 May 2025 7:00, UK
Chelsea are still waiting to hear what their punishment will be following an investigation into historic payments made by former owner Roman Abramovich.
The Russian oligarch sold the Premier League side to BlueCo, which is spearheaded by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, for £4.25billion in May 2022.
Chelsea revealed during BlueCo’s takeover they discovered “incomplete financial information” had been submitted to the football authorities between 2012 and 2019.
The London giants then reported themselves to the Premier League, Uefa and the FA, leading to an investigation into the matter taking place, with an £8.7million settlement reached with Uefa in July 2023.
It was revealed earlier this year the club were in talks with the Premier League over agreeing a financial settlement for the payments.
However, The Times reported on 24 April Manchester United missed out on signing Eden Hazard in 2012 after they refused to pay his agent, John Bico, a secret multi-million-pound payment, which would have breached the Premier League and Uefa’s rules.
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It said a Premier League investigation is continuing into allegations an offshore company belonging to Abramovich made a £6million payment in 2013 to Bico via a Dubai firm after Chelsea signed Hazard for £32million from Lille in 2012.
Finance expert Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider he is “surprised” the case has dragged on for so long without a resolution.
Chelsea currently sit fifth in the Premier League table as they go in pursuit of a return to Champions League football this season.
Everton
(Credit: Getty Images)
Premier League told to prosecute Chelsea after breaches
Borson insisted the Premier League should prosecute Chelsea for their admitted breaches while the investigation is ongoing.
He told Football Insider: “It is a bit of a surprise that it’s going on so long, given the fact that it’s admitted.
“You ask yourself, what are they actually doing as part of this investigation? And why can’t they bring it to a close by now, given how long the investigation has been running?
“We know that these things take a long time, clearly. That’s just the way legal processes work. But this one’s been going on for an enormous amount of time now, and it’s admitted.
“The question is why they wouldn’t just prosecute those bits that they’ve got the admission on. Or if they are going to do the settlement, why it’s taken from January when Martin Ziegler wrote about it all the way through to nearly May.
“That’s very unusual where you’ve got an agreement in principle to settle something. That document can be negotiated over a weekend.
“Now, there is a ratification process in the Premier League rules, but that shouldn’t take anywhere near three or four months, so we don’t know what’s going on.
“There are certain things we do know. We do know they had a sporting advantage. We do know that it was admitted by them.
“Those things appear to be common ground between the parties, so we’ll see.”
Position Team Played Points GD
3 Newcastle United 34 62 21
4 Man City 34 61 23
5 Chelsea 34 60 19
6 Nottingham Forest 33 60 14
7 Aston Villa 34 57 5
Premier League table (as of 29/04/2025)
Chelsea could agree Kevin De Bruyne deal
In terms of matters on the pitch, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider Chelsea are interested in re-signing Kevin De Bruyne.
The 33-year-old will be available on a free transfer once his contract at the Etihad expires on 30 June.
However, De Bruyne would have to take a pay cut to remain in the Premier League, with his Man City deal worth around £20million a year.
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