Newcastle, Man Utd & Liverpool's Premier League rivals could face points deduction after major leak

Chelsea are reportedly under investigation for potential breaches of Financial Fair Play regulations during former owner Roman Abramovich's time at the club.

According to The Guardian, leaked files have revealed a number of payments worth 'tens of millions of pounds' over a decade to offshore vehicles belonging to Abramovich. The value and prolonged period of the transactions appear to have benefitted Chelsea during the most successful spell in the club's history.

They also raise questions about whether Chelsea declared these payments in the club's accounts.

The payments have been leaked following an international investigation known as Cyprus Confidential.

The Guardian reports that beneficiaries of the payments include the agent of Eden Hazard, an associate of former manager Antonio Conte and Chelsea officials. There are also payments connected to the purchase of players such as Willian and Samuel Eto'o, both of whom joined from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013.

Abramovich sold Chelsea to Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in 2022 with the club's new owners voluntarily reporting that 'incomplete financial information' had been submitted under the previous regime, leading to a Premier League investigation. The new leaked files raise more questions as to whether Abramovich's Chelsea repeatedly breached financial rules for the club's benefit. And football finance expert Kieran Maguire said Chelsea could face significant punishment if found guilty of such breaches.

“If there is proof that the club has used third-party transactions to circumvent the profitability and sustainability rules then sanctions would be either financial or a points deduction,” he said.

“The latter is more likely as any commission investigating a club’s circumstances will want to put out a deterrent that dissuades others from repeating such behaviour.”

Responding to the allegations, a Chelsea spokesperson said: “These allegations pre-date the club’s current ownership. They are based on documents which the club has not been shown and do not relate to any individual who is presently at the club."

On the club's incomplete financial information, the club spokesperson added: “Immediately following the completion of the purchase, the club proactively self-reported these matters to all applicable football regulators.

“In accordance with the club’s ownership group’s core principles of full compliance and transparency, the club has proactively assisted the applicable regulators with their investigations and will continue to do so.”

The Premier League declined to comment amid its ongoing investigation while the Football Association confirmed: "We are investigating."

After finishing 12th in the Premier League last season and missing out on European football, Chelsea currently sit 10th in the Premier League after 12 matches. Their next opponents following the international break are Newcastle United at St James' Park on November 25 (3pm kick-off).