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Chelsea have been slapped with a hefty fine by the FA(Image: Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
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Chelsea have been slapped with a £10million fine by the Football Association (The FA) and have also been hit with a suspended two-window transfer ban for breaches during Roman Abramovich's tenure.
The Blues have also avoided a suspended six-point deduction from the FA after a secret appeal was successful, but will have to hand over £10m and will serve a suspended two-window ban for the club's actions under previous owner Abramovich.
The west Londoners were charged for 74 breaches of FA rules back in September 2025 but the club appealed. The 74 charges brought were due to conduct 'ranging from 2009 to 2022' and 'primarily relates to events which occurred between the 2010/11 to 2015/16 playing seasons'.
Said charges are primarily focused on transfers that happened between the 2010/11 and 2015/16 seasons, including deals for Willian, Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto'o. While avoiding a sporting sanction, Chelsea have been handed a hefty fine and if they are to breach any further transfer bans for the next two years, the Blues will then be hit with a registration suspension.
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Chelsea's present-day ownership group self-reported the breaches and are understood to have been co-operative throughout the process. The individuals involved in the wrongdoing are still under investigation.
A statement from the FA read: "A financial sanction of £10 million and a suspended two-window registration ban have been imposed on Chelsea FC for breaches of The Football Association [The FA] Football Agent Regulations, Regulations on Working with Intermediaries and Third Party Investment in Players Regulations.
"The FA charged Chelsea FC with 74 breaches of FA Rule E1.2 after its current ownership self-reported misconduct upon its purchase of the club. The FA is continuing to investigate individual misconduct arising out of this case.
"Chelsea FC admitted to the 74 breaches of FA Rule E1.2 prior to a hearing and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed a six-point deduction, which was to be suspended until 30 June 2027, and a £10 million fine.
"The club appealed against the suspended points deduction and an independent Appeal Board allowed the appeal and set aside this sanction following a further hearing. In its place, the Appeal Board imposed a registration ban for two complete and consecutive transfer windows which is suspended until 30 June 2027.
"The £10 million fine imposed by the Regulatory Commission was not subject to appeal and the full amount will be invested into grassroots football. The Regulatory Commission and Appeal Board’s written reasons for their decisions can be found below."
Chelsea have also released a statement: "Chelsea Football Club is pleased to confirm that a final decision has been reached by The FA’s judicial bodies in relation to historical regulatory matters that were self-reported by the Club.
"In 2022, the Club self-reported potential historical rule breaches to all applicable regulators. Following that report, it has worked openly and transparently with all regulators, including voluntarily and proactively disclosing many thousands of documents.
"As previously announced, settlement agreements have been entered into with UEFA and the Premier League concerning the same self-reported regulatory matters and topics that have been addressed before. The Club is pleased to confirm that, now The FA process has concluded, this brings all regulatory proceedings against the Club to a close.
"We are grateful to UEFA, the Premier League and The FA for their engagement with the Club throughout these processes."
Sources say BlueCo became clear of the financial breaches when running a background check while purchasing the club from Abramovich.
The Written Decision from the FA agrees with Chelsea that a suspension points deduction was excessive, meaning the club’s appeal was successful.
The FA appreciated Chelsea's co-operation was helpful after BlueCo reported financial irregularities upon their purchase of the club more than four years ago.