Chelsea escape points deduction, handed £10m fine and suspended transfer ban

Chelsea was fined £10 million and handed a suspended transfer ban after an FA investigation found 74 potential breaches of its rules. An independent regulatory commission initially deducted six points from the London club, but the decision was overturned on appeal. Instead, Chelsea received a two-year transfer ban that runs through June 30, 2027. The FA can apply to activate the ban if it determines Chelsea has potentially committed similar breaches again. The FA charged Chelsea in September with breaches of rules relating to working with agents, dealings with intermediaries and third-party investment in players. The alleged violations span 2009 to 2022, with most occurring between the 2010-11 and 2015-16 seasons, when Roman Abramovich owned the club. Transfers involving Willian, Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto'o were among those under review. Notably, Chelsea's current leadership self-reported the potential breaches after the ownership change. The FA emphasized that its investigation into individuals linked to the case remains ongoing.