Chelsea avoid massive points deduction as more details emerge on FA transfer ban decision

View 2 Images

Chelsea were initially earmarked for a 15-point deduction for their 74 breaches of football agent regulations. Such a penalty would have relegated the Blues from the Premier League last season.

They only finished 13 points clear of West Ham United in the table, with the starting point for their penalty being enough to leave them two points adrift in 18th place. However, it was reduced by a third, to 10 points, for the London club's cooperation and self-reporting .

Their misconduct occurred during Roman Abramovich 's almost two-decade-long ownership. Chelsea's new owners, BlueCo, ultimately successfully appealed against a six-point deduction.

On Friday, it was announced that the Blues had been hit with a £10million fine by the FA , alongside a suspended two-window transfer ban. The FA brought charges against Chelsea in September 2025 for conduct 'ranging from 2009 to 2022'.

However, it 'primarily relates to events which occurred between the 2010/11 and 2015/16 playing seasons'. The allegations, which Chelsea contested, centred largely on transfers, including the acquisitions of Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto'o and Willian.

Chelsea's current ownership self-reported the violations that prompted the FA charges. BlueCo are believed to have been fully cooperative with the FA throughout their year-long inquiry.

The FA's written reasons say that, of the club's punishment, "a starting point of 15 points is appropriate". Additional reasoning outlined in the report explains why the recommended points penalty was ultimately lowered.

"'The starting point will accordingly be reduced by 1/3 to 10 points to reflect the general mitigation under the heads of self-reporting and cooperation," the written reasons stated.

View 2 Images

A statement from the FA read: "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."

FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

Chelsea subsequently released a statement, which read: " 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."

Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.