Chelsea Football Club have been fined £10 million and handed a suspended two-window registration ban after being found guilty of multiple breaches of the Football Association’s regulations on football agents, intermediaries and third-party investment in players.
The sanctions were announced by the Football Association (FA) on Friday following 74 breaches of FA Rule E1.2, which were self-reported by Chelsea’s current ownership after completing the takeover of the club.
The FA said the breaches involved violations of its Football Agent Regulations, Regulations on Working with Intermediaries and Third-Party Investment in Players Regulations.
“ 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 Football Agent Regulations, Regulations on Working with Intermediaries and Third-Party Investment in Players Regulations,” the FA said.
Chelsea admitted to the 74 breaches before an independent Regulatory Commission, while investigations into possible misconduct by individuals connected to the case remain ongoing.
The FA said the case emerged after Chelsea’s current owners reported potential wrongdoing linked to activities that took place before they acquired the club.
The independent Regulatory Commission initially imposed a £10 million fine and a suspended six-point deduction, with the points penalty set to remain suspended until June 30, 2027.
However, Chelsea appealed against the suspended points deduction, and an independent Appeal Board overturned that punishment following a further hearing.
Instead, the Appeal Board replaced the suspended points deduction with a suspended registration ban covering two complete and consecutive transfer windows, also running until June 30, 2027.
The FA confirmed that the financial penalty was not challenged by Chelsea and that the full amount would be directed towards grassroots football development.
“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 governing body said.
The sanctions relate to breaches of regulations governing football agents, intermediary arrangements and third-party investment in players that occurred before Chelsea’s current ownership took control of the club.
The club’s self-reporting of the issues led to the FA investigation, with further action against individuals involved expected if additional breaches are established.
