Foul player transfers hand Chelsea record 10 million fine

Chelsea have been handed a Premier League record fine of £10.75m and a suspended transfer ban.

It was a result of the club making secret payments to unregistered agents and third-parties over transfers between 2011 and 2018.

But it could have been a lot worse. Only a frank admission of guilt and full co-operation avoided a larger fine - and a potential points penalty.

The Premier League published a 28-page document highlighting all the wrongdoings - how much money was paid out, by who, and for which transfer deals.

Chelsea made 36 separate payments totalling £47.5m to 12 individuals or corporate entities.

They were made via a series of third-parties, which were primarily registered in the British Virgin Islands.

The payments either completed the signings of players and/or acquired transfer options without the payments appearing on the club’s accounts.

It was found that they were “obvious and deliberate breaches” which also “involved deception and concealment in relation to financial matters”.

Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was implicated. The payments happened “with the knowledge and approval of certain senior former officers and/or Directors” and using funds “controlled by or associated with the former owner”.

The documents name most of the players, though they are not accused of being involved.

The biggest payment, £23m, accounts for almost half the total.

The money was paid to seven unregistered agents (or entities associated with them) to sign players including Eden Hazard (Lille), Ramires (Benfica), David Luiz (Benfica), Andre Schurrle (Bayer Leverkusen) and Nemanja Matic (Benfica).

The combined £19.3m transfer fees for Samuel Eto’o and Willian from Anzhi Makhachkala were also paid off the books. Payments of £1.37m were paid to director of football Frank Arnesen, plus scout and advisory Piet de Visser and an unnamed third member of staff. This was considered to be their wage. (BBC sport)