Chelsea FC has narrowly avoided a devastating six-point deduction after successfully appealing a Premier League transfer ban. The club received a suspended transfer embargo instead, sparing them from potential league-wide consequences.

The Football Association (FA) initially identified breaches dating back to 2009, primarily during the tenure of former owner Roman Abramovich. Most irregularities occurred between 2010 and 2016, when the club allegedly made payments totalling £47 million to unregistered agents and third parties. These findings emerged during the club’s ownership transition in 2022, prompting the FA to file 74 formal charges in September 2025.

The investigation uncovered improper financial dealings linked to several high-profile signings. Among them were transfers of former stars like Eden Hazard (recruited from Lille in 2012), Samuel Eto’o, Willian (from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013), André Schürrle (from Bayer Leverkusen in 2013), Nemanja Matić (from Benfica in 2014), and David Luiz (from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016).