Chelsea F.C. have recently been charged by the Football Association (FA) with 74 alleged breaches spanning the Roman Abramovich era. Rather than raw panic, however, finance experts say Chelsea have a substantial safety net — a £150 million “hold-back” clause from their 2022 takeover — which puts them in a more secure position than many rivals.
What is the £150 m buffer?
When Chelsea were sold in 2022, the takeover deal included a clause giving the old entity (Fordstam Ltd) up to £150 million in withheld funds. These funds are there to cover any liability — including fines or lost revenue — related to events before the new owners took over. Because the previous owner was Abramovich, and many of the alleged rule breaches date from 2009–16, this clause becomes especially significant.
The FA have charged Chelsea with 74 breaches of regulations regarding football agents and intermediaries, for offenses between 2009 and 2022 🚨 pic.twitter.com/v8OGH9Tsll
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 11, 2025
How does it protect Chelsea?
Finance experts say this buffer means that purely financial sanctions might hit Chelsea much less hard than other clubs. As Stefan Borson, a football finance lawyer, noted: the clause isn’t just there for fines — it may cover losses from sporting sanctions too (like missing out on European football). In effect, if Chelsea were fined, the £150m could absorb much of the impact.
What it doesn’t do?
Importantly, this safety net does not guarantee immunity from points deductions, transfer bans or other sporting punishments. It simply means the financial side is better covered. As one expert said: “There’s a question mark … why the size of the provision is so big.”The FA’s decision could still result in non-financial consequences.
BREAKING: Chelsea have released a statement regarding the 74 charges they have received from the FA, confirming they self reported the alleged breaches 🚨 pic.twitter.com/U3PfF84MR8
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 11, 2025
What’s next for Chelsea?
The FA gave Chelsea a deadline to respond to the charges. Meanwhile, the club must continue cooperating, and its current owners will want to show they’re running a clean operation now. For supporters and investors alike, how Chelsea manage this will be crucial — not just the finances but the club’s reputation and stability.
Author’s Insight
Here’s the reality: some clubs might cripple a little when facing major regulatory trouble. Chelsea aren’t in that worst-case scenario — at least financially. That £150 million buffer gives them room to breathe, plan and protect themselves from immediate damage. But money isn’t everything. The club must still face the questions of culture, compliance and identity. If sporting punishments hit, or if the public view shifts, no buffer can fully repair that. For Chelsea, this moment is less about panic and more about proving they can operate at the top level – not just on the pitch, but in how they run the club.
As featured on Chelseanews.com