Chelsea avoids starting season with points deduction; ordered to pay £10 million
An FA commission had initially ordered a six‑point deduction; the sanction was overturned on appeal and replaced by a £10 million fine for breaches spanning 2009–2022.
Chelsea will not begin the new Premier League season with a points deduction after an appeal overturned the original sanction; instead the club must pay a £10 million fine.
The Football Association case focused on historical irregularities linked to the club's dealings with agents, intermediaries and third‑party ownership of players. The FA said the breaches cover the period from 2009 to 2022, while Roman Abramovich was the club's owner.
Commission decision and appeal
Initially, an independent regulatory commission at the FA found multiple breaches and handed down a six‑point deduction in addition to a financial penalty. That punishment was suspended and later removed after Chelsea challenged the points sanction.
"Chelsea FC admitted guilt for all 74 breaches it committed, after which the independent regulatory commission at the FA decided on a minus six points. It is suspended until June 2027, as is the fine of £10 million. The club appealed the decision to deduct points, and that was accepted," the FA said in a statement.
Because the appeal succeeded, the club will start the upcoming season without a points penalty; the £10 million fine remains in force and relates to the same period when the breaches occurred.
The FA process brought the long‑running investigation to a close with the settlement announced this week; Chelsea's admission and the accepted appeal mark the final resolution of the disciplinary case.
Photo: press material from the event
