www.thefa.com

Chelsea FC charged

Chelsea FC charged with breaching FA Regulations

We’ve been charged again

Football should be fun. It’s so political and bureaucratic at times. Takes the shine off the fun on the pitch.

Let’s see how we respond, and what was even done during the period in question.

Disappointing, but given our cooperation with the authorities I expect a fine and possibly a transfer embargo at worst.

I thought there were still pending charges we were waiting on! There sounds a lot there! Far be it for a conspiracy theory, but there might be a reason the (not so new now) owners admitted to these and that sale money still sits in a bank account!

Is this news, though? Didn't the owners actually self report this when they did the background check on the club prior to buying it? Probably a fine and we move on. Think the City case made the PL understand they can't fight the big lawyers and get dragged for years and years in court, it's way too expensive for them. If Boehly and his lawyers were able to play them for fools with all the loopholes they found, imagine having to fight against them. They would probably humilitate them in court to the point the PL would have to drop the charges, which would be the ultimate embarrassment.

52 minutes ago, Jezz said:

Disappointing, but given our cooperation with the authorities I expect a fine and possibly a transfer embargo at worst.

I'd love a transfer embargo.

1 minute ago, Sconnie Blue said:

That is a completely ridiculous punishment considering the context, as well as the dangerous precedent it sets. You think we are the only club avoiding paying taxes on mundane expenses?

Probably other clubs are hiding payments. Doesn't make it right that we should avoid punishment for shining a light on illegal stuff the club has done over the years. I don't want people in the pub thinking, "Pfff, they got away with murder just because they have money".

1 minute ago, Llangennech said:

Probably other clubs are hiding payments. Doesn't make it right that we should avoid punishment for shining a light on illegal stuff the club has done over the years. I don't want people in the pub thinking, "Pfff, they got away with murder just because they have money".

Who cares? Like the majority of them, they likely don’t know the full scope of it.

Self reported tax fraud which charges over that 20 year period amounted to £10m, where are large bulk of it was mundane expenses like physios.

That warrants a 30 point deduction just so Liverpool and Palace fans don’t think less of us? 😂

Relegate us to Division 3. Football in the lower leagues is far more fun to watch. No VAR, standing at some grounds and the pies are better. A proper football experience.

12 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Who cares? Like the majority of them, they likely don’t know the full scope of it.

Self reported tax fraud which charges over that 20 year period amounted to £10m, where are large bulk of it was mundane expenses like physios.

That warrants a 30 point deduction just so Liverpool and Palace fans don’t think less of us? 😂

We've got the FFP/PSR stuff in the background too. This is about what feels right not about x's and o's on a sheet of paper. Relegate City, give us a 30 point deduction, get all the charges out of the way and have a reset. The small/smaller teams won't have that type of punishment as they haven't been as successful. We'll be back, City will be back, City were in the third tier 20 plus years ago. Give someone else a chance.

1 hour ago, Llangennech said:

The only proper punishment for these sorts of things is a points deduction. There was a TV documentary on how they think Abramovich got the first chunk of his money, to get things rolling. So there was a fair chance he would flirt with financial illegalities to get good players into the club. Just my intuition. My intuition is also telling me a 30 point reduction would be a fair punishment, I don't want other clubs feeling we've paid really expensive lawyers to get us off a guilty charge. Also I think only Christians should be allowed to own football clubs in the Europe.

This is possibly the most ridiculous post I have read on here. What the hell has religion got to do with any of this? Your suggestion and take on the whole matter is not logical

It’s 99% certain that had the new owners not conduced DD and self reported the likelihood is that none of these payments would ever have been flagged up to the FA.

I might be wrong but I believe that the FA and the club are trying to play a route to bring to a conclusion the RA ownership misdemeanours. The first had to be a publication of charges. The club won’t defend the charges so there is absolutely no doubt that the charges will be proven.

So we come to sanction. This is where without doubt there will be the major focus of the legal team.

Underpinning all of this is the club self reported. The FA will know if the punishment is to harsh going forward any club that uncovers anything in their records simply won’t flag it up.

I would have been happier had the charges been listed but having thought about this I am not expecting the PL to issue charges idc. If they don’t then expect a settlement agreement to be agreed.

I don't expect a slap on the wrist for this one. I expect a big points deduction coming our way. Season will be a write off.

7 minutes ago, Scott Harris said:

I don't expect a slap on the wrist for this one. I expect a big points deduction coming our way. Season will be a write off.

I dont see how they can give a big points deduction. What motivation is that for clubs to be open and transparent in the future.

We have, by all accounts, been super helpful. We self reported. We have been cooperative. We have not wrapped them up in legal beuracracy and counter litigation (ahem citeh).

So - if we were to get a points deduction, what kind of message would it send. Cheat, lie, hide and fight...it will give benefit you. Be open and transparent - get screwed.

Edited September 11, 2025Sep 11 by nonotnowjim

14 minutes ago, nonotnowjim said:

I dont see how they can give a big points deduction. What motivation is that for clubs to be open and transparent in the future.

We have, but all accounts, been super helpful. We self reported. We have been cooperative. We have not wrapped them up in legal beuracracy and counter litigation (ahem citeh).

So - if we were to get a points deduction, what kind of message would it send. Cheat, lie, hide and fight...it will give benefit you. Be open and transparent - get screwed.

Maybe, but I don't expect the FA to be as lenient as UEFA. I'm surprised the Premier League aren't involved and it was passed on to the FA instead. I'm not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

Edited September 11, 2025Sep 11 by Scott Harris

Big money fine is most likely, maybe 50:50 on a transfer ban happening. Points deduction seems unlikely.

If they go too draconian no clubs will ever divulge this sort of thing again. It's a large number of offences but they're also very minor and weren't an attempt to skirt other rules (ie get around FFP).

70 plus charges is crazy.

1 hour ago, Scott Harris said:

Maybe, but I don't expect the FA to be as lenient as UEFA. I'm surprised the Premier League aren't involved and it was passed on to the FA instead. I'm not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

One way or the other the PL will still need to draw a line under matters that are within their jurisdiction

There will be something to follow either PL charges, which I suspect are unlikely or a settlement agreement

Boring now. Footballs just become accounting and policing and less about the beautiful game.

Feel like sh*t just want Sir Roman and the mid 00’s early 10’s back.

2 hours ago, abigsmurf said:

Big money fine is most likely, maybe 50:50 on a transfer ban happening. Points deduction seems unlikely.

If they go too draconian no clubs will ever divulge this sort of thing again. It's a large number of offences but they're also very minor and weren't an attempt to skirt other rules (ie get around FFP).

I suspect no fear, that the PL will be issuing charges idc around incorrect or incomplete financial matters

3 Transfer window ban

80mill fine

20 points deduction

Reduced on appeal to:

2 transfer window ban.

65mill fine

12 points deduction

1 minute ago, axman2526 said:

3 Transfer window ban

80mill fine

20 points deduction

Reduced on appeal to:

2 transfer window ban.

65mill fine

12 points deduction

Is this what’s happened or just your prediction?

I'd insist on a six transfer window ban on the club signing players and on appeal extend to 8...

1 minute ago, axman2526 said:

3 Transfer window ban

80mill fine

20 points deduction

Reduced on appeal to:

2 transfer window ban.

65mill fine

12 points deduction

22 minutes ago, RMH said:

Is this what’s happened or just your prediction?

6 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

Welcome back!

1 hour ago, axman2526 said:

3 Transfer window ban

80mill fine

20 points deduction

Reduced on appeal to:

2 transfer window ban.

65mill fine

12 points deduction

Nicholas Jackson immediately returned to the club & has to play every minute of every game for the duration of his contract.