The Football Association has charged Chelsea with breaking transfer rules regarding the payment of agents and third-party ownership of players. The FA confirmed that 74 charges have been brought against Enzo Maresca's side.
The official ruling reads: "The Football Association has today charged Chelsea FC with breaches of 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. In total, 74 charges have been brought against Chelsea FC. The conduct that is the subject of the charges ranges from 2009 to 2022 and primarily relates to events which occurred between the 2010/11 to 2015/16 playing seasons. Chelsea FC has until 19 September 2025 to respond."
Despite Chelsea previously self-reporting instances from the Roman Abramovich era, the club could still face additional fines, receive a transfer embargo or even see their Premier League points tally reduced if these payments were not registered in the annual report. Supporters will be hoping that a financial penalty is all they'll face this season, as we examine some rare instances where teams have been hit with point deductions.
Middlesbrough - 1996-97
Middlesbrough's three point penalty was one of the most controversial top-flight sanctions at the time after they called off their away fixture against Blackburn in December 1996. Boro argued that they were unable to field a team for the match due to a virus outbreak amongst the squad, reports The Mirror.
The three point penalty saw Middlesbrough tumble from 14th to 19th in the Premier League, ultimately leading to their relegation by a mere two points.
Portsmouth - 2009-10
In the late noughties, Portsmouth found themselves in severe financial strife, leaving them unable to pay staff and players for several months. By February 2010, the club had changed hands for the third time and entered administration.
Yet, Pompey's woes were far from over. The Premier League declared that they would be docked nine points due to their financial ruin. In March, the points were deducted, effectively sealing their fate and relegation to the Championship. The Premier League said in a statement: "Following the High Court's decision that Portsmouth FC's administration is valid the Premier League board convened today to apply the League's rules and policies in relation to a member club suffering an event of insolvency.
"As a result, Portsmouth FC has been deducted nine points with immediate effect. As part of this process the board met with the administrator to agree how we will work together for the remainder of the season to ensure that the club is able fulfil its commitments."
Everton - 2023-24
Everton recently faced a double whammy of points deductions after breaching the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Rules. The Toffees were found to have miscalculated their PSR for the 2021/22 season, leading to an initial 10-point deduction in the 2023/24 season.
However, after an appeal, the penalty was reduced from 10 to six points. In April 2024, Everton were hit with another two-point deduction due to financial losses during the 2022/23 season.
This plunged them into a Premier League relegation scrap, but they managed to stave off the drop. Once their top-flight status was secured in May, Everton withdrew their appeal and continued in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest - 2023/24
Nottingham Forest also found themselves in hot water during the 2023/24 season, although their punishment wasn't as severe as Everton's. The Tricky Trees slipped into the relegation zone after receiving a four-point deduction for breaching PSR rules.
The penalty saw Forest tumble to 18th place, but they rallied late on to finish six points clear of the drop zone, in 17th place. Despite losing four more points than Forest, Everton finished two places above in 15th, a comfortable 14 points clear of relegation.