17th March 2026
March 17 – English Premier League (EPL) club Chelsea have been handed a record fine of £10.75m and a suspended transfer ban by the competition’s governing body for breaching financial rules during the Roman Abramovich era – but have avoided any sporting sanctions.
The London entity made secret payments to unregistered agents and third-parties over transfers made between 2011 and 2018. In a lengthy document, the EPL listed Chelsea’s rap sheet.
The club made 36 separate payments totalling £47.5 million to 12 individuals or corporate entities – via a series of third-parties, often registered in the British Virgin Islands, a tax haven with opaque rules.
The London club paid seven unregistered agents or related entities to sign players including Eden Hazard, Ramires, David Luiz, Andre Schurrle, and Nemanja Matic. These payments totalled £23 million.
Director of Football at the time Frank Arnesen, famed scout Piet de Visser and an unnamed third member of staff got £1.37 million. A combined £19.3 million transfer fees for Samuel Eto’o and Willian from Anzhi Makhachkala were also paid off the books.
None of the players were accused or found to be wrongdoing.
A further £3.8 million was paid to a third-party in relation to a transfer and registration of player, but the transfer in question has been redacted.
The investigation confirmed that the payments were made with “the knowledge and approval of certain senior former officers and/or Directors of the club.”
During the 2011-2108 timeframe of the breaches, Chelsea won both the Premier League and the FA Cup twice. The Blues also lifted the EFL Cup and the Europa League, the continent’s second-tier club competition.
The Premier League Board concluded the club should be fined £20 million with a transfer ban for two complete and consecutive windows, but mitigation factors reduced Chelsea’s punishment.
The Premier League took into account that the club self-reported the breaches after BlueCo acquired Chelsea from Roman Abramovich and demonstrated ‘exceptional cooperation.’
The league also noted that there was no breach of the PSR rules as Chelsea didn’t exceed the three-season spending limit of £105 million.
This may not be the end of the sanctions, however, as the English Football Association is also conducting an investigation into over 74 charges of breaching player agent regulations.
A source told The Guardian that the FA’s investigation is also expected to conclude with the club receiving a fine and a suspended transfer ban.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at [moc.l1773750164labto1773750164ofdlr1773750164owedi1773750164sni@i1773750164tnuk.1773750164ardni1773750164mas1773750164](javascript:;)