Todd Boehly at Stamford Bridge with Enzo Maresca included in a circular inset
(Credit: Imago/Manh Tung - Breaking Media)
James Murray
Sat 13 December 2025 7:30, UK
Chelsea could soon be facing a points deduction if their disciplinary hearing leads to significant sanctions.
Chelsea have been under investigation since BlueCo, which is spearheaded by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, took over the club from Roman Abramovich in May 2022.
The Blues reported themselves to the Premier League, Uefa and the FA after discovering during the takeover process “incomplete financial information” had been submitted to the football authorities between 2012 and 2019.
Chelsea were charged by the FA in September with 74 alleged rule breaches relating to payments to agents between 2009 and 2022, with events between the 2010-11 to 2015-16 seasons the primary focus.
The Times reported on Tuesday (9 December) Chelsea’s hearing is due to end this week, but it remains unclear when the independent regulatory commission will announce its verdict.
Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich
Credit: Imago
Chelsea have gained sporting advantage after legal update
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Chelsea are “briefing” that they don’t expect to receive a sporting sanction.
However, Chelsea could face a points deduction depending on how seriously the commission view the charges.
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Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “Chelsea are briefing all around that they don’t expect a sporting sanction and, if there was, they would appeal.
“But that’s kind of beside the point. If they appeal, big deal. It won’t change the likely position that’s been established on sporting advantage if they’ve got a sporting sanction. So, that’s going to be the nub of it.
“Do people think that paying agents secret payments that sway the player from one club to another, does the panel think that gave them a sporting advantage? To me, it seems pretty obvious that it gave them a sporting advantage.”
Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Mark Walter at the Club World Cup
Credit: Imago
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider Premier League clubs will demand Chelsea are deducted points after allegations emerged around Eden Hazard’s move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea could face delay in points deduction saga
The Times reported in April Manchester United missed out on signing 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’s rules.
The newspaper said at the time a Premier League investigation was 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 £32m from Lille in 2012.
“Let’s see what the argument is,” said Borson.
“It’ll be interesting to read the decision if we ever see it. The award, the details of what they did, how they argued it and everything else. That’ll take some time to come out. And once it does, then we’ll be able to analyse it again.
Eden Hazard looking focused for Chelsea
Credit: Getty Images
“Those are the parameters. So, is it a sporting advantage? If so, the headline is what’s the points deduction? Then what are the mitigating factors that Chelsea can argue, and what’s that worth in terms of a discount?”
Chelsea reached an £8.7m settlement with Uefa in July 2023 due to the governing body having a statute of limitations that meant it was able to look back only as far as the 2018-19 season.
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