Sport

Chelsea 'in talks with Premier League' to avoid points deduction


Chelsea are reportedly locked in talks with the Premier League over paying a settlement to avoid a points deduction.

The issue is not related to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability findings for 2023-24, whereby no clubs were understood to have been in breach.

Instead, the talks between the two parties relates to a historic matter which allegedly occurred during Roman Abramovich’s tenure at Stamford Bridge, according to The Times. The issue was raised by Chelsea’s owners following their takeover in May 2022.

The club are now holding discussions with the Premier League over a compromise, which would see them pay ‘a financial settlement’ rather than being handed a points deduction.

The Premier League launched a probe into allegations that irregular payments were made to facilitate Willian and Samuel Eto’o’s respective transfers from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013.

Payments concerning Eden Hazard’s move from Lille a year earlier have also been brought to their attention.

In normal circumstances, clubs found to have made secret payments related to transfers would face tough punishments being handed down, with a heavy fine and points deduction an expected outcome.

However, Chelsea’s current ownership, the BlueCo consortium, have argued that the alleged rule breaches took place under a different ownership over a decade ago ago.

It is also their apparent view that the payments would not have been highlighted or reported if it hadn’t have been for their due diligence process, which was carried out during the takeover.

The outcome of the negotiations is expected before the end of March, with the club ‘confident’ a positive conclusion can be reached.

The west London club concluded a similar case with UEFA in July 2023 after agreeing to pay £8.6m as a financial settlement to the European governing body.

The Premier League’s own rules also allow for a ‘sanction agreement’ to be handed down by its board and one of the 20 clubs providing it receives ratification from their Judicial Panel. While this can include points deductions, the report adds Chelsea are ‘insistent’ on making a financial arrangement.

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