Blues Face Investigation Over Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto’o and Willian Transfers
Chelsea have been hit with 74 charges by the Football Association relating to alleged breaches of agent regulations and third-party investment in players during the Roman Abramovich era.
The charges relate to alleged breaches that took place between 2009 and 2022, when the club was owned by the Russian billionaire, with the primary focus on events between the 2010-11 and 2015-16 seasons.
The Premier League club confirmed the issues were self-declared after the new owners discovered “incomplete financial reporting” when reviewing the club’s activity during the 2022 takeover process.
“We will continue working collaboratively with the FA to conclude this matter as swiftly as possible,” Chelsea said in a statement on Wednesday.
Offshore Payments Uncovered
Sky Sports News chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol reported that due diligence carried out by Chelsea’s current owners, BlueCo, during the takeover process “is believed to have uncovered payments connected to transfers to offshore companies and players’ families and representatives.
The payments are believed to be millions of pounds and were not registered in accounts submitted to the FA, the Premier League and UEFA,” Solhekol added.
Sky Sports News understands the transfers which raised potential concerns are believed to include high-profile deals for players such as Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto’o and Willian. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on the part of those players.
Historic Transfer Concerns
The investigation has particularly focused on three major transfers from the Abramovich era. Eden Hazard’s £32 million move from Lille in 2012 has come under scrutiny, alongside the 2013 signings of Willian and Samuel Eto’o from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala.
Willian joined Chelsea for £30 million in August 2013, whilst Eto’o arrived on a free transfer. Both players had been on the verge of joining other Premier League clubs before Chelsea secured their signatures at the last minute.
Documents uncovered during investigations revealed payments to offshore entities in Russia and the British Virgin Islands that were not included in Chelsea’s official transfer reports. The Guardian and Bureau of Investigative Journalism reported in 2023 that leaked documents showed agreements for Abramovich-linked companies to make multi-million pound payments for “advisory services” related to some of these transfers.
Six FA Regulations Breached
The FA confirmed in a statement that Chelsea have been charged with breaches of six different regulations:
- Regulations J1 and C2 of the FA Football Agents Regulations
- Regulations A2 and A3 of the FA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries
- Regulations A1 and B3 of the FA Third Party Investment in Players Regulations
In total, 74 charges have been brought against Chelsea FC,” the FA stated. “The conduct that is the subject of the charges ranges from 2009 to 2022 and primarily relates to events which occurred between the 2010/11 to 2015/16 playing seasons.”
Chelsea have until September 19, 2025, to respond to the charges.
PSR Compliance Maintained
Despite the serious nature of the charges, independent accounting analysts are understood to have informed Chelsea that even if the alleged irregular payments had been reported correctly at the appropriate times, the club would have always remained compliant with the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
This assessment could prove crucial in any potential sanctions, as it suggests the club did not gain a sporting advantage from the alleged breaches.
Self-Reporting and Transparency
Chelsea’s current ownership group, led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, discovered the potential issues during their due diligence process before completing the £2.5 billion purchase of the club in May 2022.
“Immediately upon the completion of the purchase, the club self-reported these matters to all relevant regulators, including the FA,” Chelsea’s statement read.
The club emphasised it has demonstrated “unprecedented transparency during this process, including by giving comprehensive access to the club’s files and historical data.”
Ongoing Premier League Investigation
In August 2023, Premier League chief executive Richard Masters confirmed his organisation was investigating “historical” financial issues that Chelsea had self-reported to both the Premier League and the FA.
A separate Premier League investigation into whether the club breached any of its rules remains ongoing, according to the Press Association. This investigation is examining similar offshore payments and could result in additional sanctions.
Chelsea had previously been fined €10 million (£8.6 million) by UEFA in July 2023 for submitting “incomplete financial information” relating to multiple deals between 2012 and 2019.
Abramovich Era Under Scrutiny
The charges represent the latest chapter in the scrutiny of Roman Abramovich’s 19-year ownership of Chelsea, which ended in May 2022 when he was forced to sell following UK government sanctions related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Under Abramovich’s ownership from 2003 to 2022, Chelsea won five Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, and became one of European football’s most successful clubs. However, questions about the club’s financial practices during this period have persisted.
A spokesperson for Abramovich has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded.
Club Grateful for FA Engagement
Despite facing 74 charges, Chelsea struck a conciliatory tone in their official response, placing on record their “gratitude to the FA for their engagement with the club on this complex case, the focus of which has been on matters that took place over a decade ago.”
The club’s statement emphasised that the current ownership group had proactively brought these matters to light and continues to cooperate fully with all investigations.
While the charges relate to historical breaches under previous ownership, Chelsea could still face significant sanctions if found guilty, including potential fines or transfer restrictions. However, the club’s self-reporting and cooperation may be taken into account when any penalties are determined.
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