Chelsea fined £10m but avoid points deduction following FA investigation

Chelsea have been fined £10m and handed a suspended two-window registration ban but avoid a points deduction following an FA investigation.

This is due to breaches of FA Football Agent Regulations, Regulations on Working with Intermediaries and Third Party Investment in Players Regulations during Roman Abramovich’s time at the club.

Owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, after acquiring the club in May 2022, identified these issues during due diligence, self-reported them to the FA, Premier League, and UEFA, and cooperated fully by providing comprehensive access to club records.

It’s reported that the FA had originally given Chelsea a suspended six point deduction that would have been effective immediately, but Chelsea appealed, which they won as it was deemed an excessive penalty.

Chelsea had anticipated a financial penalty, arguing a sporting sanction, like a points deduction, would unfairly punish the current ownership and squad, who were not involved in the historical breaches.

Chelsea have been fined £10m and been handed a suspended two-window registration ban by the FA for breaches of The Football Association Football Agent Regulations, Regulations on Working with Intermediaries and Third Party Investment in Players Regulations. #CFC https://t.co/b0Nq7YbnlO

— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) July 31, 2026

The Football Association said in a statement:

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.

Useful Resources

Chelsea FC v The FA – Appeal Board 583.1KB (PDF)
The FA v Chelsea FC 304.3KB (PDF)
The FA v Chelsea FC – Addendum 93.4KB (PDF)

Chelsea meanwhile said via their website: “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.

“The FA’s statement and links to the written reasons are available HERE.”

The FA said in September 2025: “The Football Association has today charged Chelsea FC with breaches of Regulations J1 and C2 of The FA Football Agents Regulations, Regulations A2 and A3 of The FA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries, and Regulations A1 and B3 of The FA Third Party Investment in Players Regulations.

“In total, 74 charges have been brought against Chelsea FC. 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 FC has until 19 September 2025 to respond.”

Chelsea said at the time: “Chelsea FC is pleased to confirm that its engagement with The FA concerning matters that were self-reported by the club is now reaching a conclusion.

“The Club’s ownership group completed its purchase of the club on 30 May 2022. During a thorough due diligence process prior to completion of the purchase, the ownership group became aware of potentially incomplete financial reporting concerning historical transactions and other potential breaches of FA rules. Immediately upon the completion of the purchase, the Club self-reported these matters to all relevant regulators, including The FA.

“The Club has demonstrated unprecedented transparency during this process, including by giving comprehensive access to the Club’s files and historical data. We will continue working collaboratively with The FA to conclude this matter as swiftly as possible. We wish to place on record our 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.”