Chelsea FC has narrowly avoided a six-point deduction after successfully appealing a transfer ban imposed by English football authorities. The club received a suspended transfer prohibition instead, sparing them from immediate competitive penalties.

The Football Association (FA) cited irregularities dating back to the Roman Abramovich era between 2009 and 2022. Most violations occurred during the club’s ownership from 2010 to 2016, when Abramovich controlled the Blues. New ownership discovered these breaches after acquiring Chelsea in 2022. By September of the following year, the FA had formally lodged 74 charges against the London-based club.

Financial records revealed £47 million (€54.5 million) in payments to unregistered third parties and agents between 2011 and 2018. Notable transfers linked to these payments include:

• Eden Hazard – Signed from Lille in 2012
• Samuel Eto’o – Arrived from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013
• Willian – Joined from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013
• André Schürrle – Signed from Bayer Leverkusen in 2013
• Nemanja Matić – Recruited from Benfica in 2014
• David Luiz – Purchased from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016