Chelsea’s previous breach of Premier League rules bears little resemblance to the case just concluded, in which Manchester City was found guilty, according to the league’s findings. An independent commission found City guilty of all charges relating to serious financial breaches on 29 September, while the Blues were sanctioned in March over undisclosed payments of £47.5m.
Even if they had been disclosed correctly, the Premier League found that payments made by third parties connected to Roman Abramovich between 2011 and 2018 would not have breached its profitability and sustainability rules. Chelsea were fined £10.75m and handed a suspended one-year transfer ban as well as an immediate nine-month academy embargo, but avoided a points deduction. It also found payments were made in relation to the transfers of Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto’o and Willian with the knowledge and approval of senior former league officials.
The difference is one of conduct, not magnitude. Chelsea’s current owners self-reported the irregularities, acknowledged the breaches and received accolades from the league for extraordinary cooperation. The club contends several infractions might never have come to light without those voluntary disclosures.
City, however, denied all the allegations and failed to cooperate with the investigation. The club said they were disappointed and surprised by the outcome, which chief executive Ferran Soriano attributed to a Premier League conspiracy theory. Sanctions will be decided at a separate hearing. The league’s chief executive, Richard Masters, said the verdict vindicated the decision to bring the case.
Chelsea Record £262.4m Loss Still PSR Compliant
Chelsea announced a Premier League record pre-tax loss of £262.4m for the year ending June 30 2025, eclipsing Manchester City’s £197.5m in 2010/11. The club said the deficit was partly down to higher operating costs than the previous year.
But the Blues were found to be compliant over the three years to 2024/25 with maximum losses of £105m allowed under the rules for profitability and sustainability. That excludes some expenditure, including spending on women’s football, youth development and infrastructure. Chelsea also pointed to record Premier League player sales last summer. Insiders also said that agent spending was at or below the league average.
The women’s team of the club also reported a loss of £17.1m, despite revenues of £21.3m. Chelsea return to Premier League action against Bournemouth on October 10, while a City punishment hearing will decide how the league’s most high-profile financial case ends.