Chelsea braced for further punishment after transfer sanctions as FA decision looms

March 18, 2026 Oliver Obel

Chelsea’s off-field issues are not over yet, despite the Premier League concluding its investigation into the club’s historical transfer dealings.

While the league has already issued a significant fine and sporting restrictions, the Football Association is still pursuing its own case meaning further punishment remains possible.

The Premier League fined Chelsea £10.75 million after finding 74 breaches related to transfer activity between 2011 and 2018, during the club’s previous ownership. The investigation focused on £47.5 million in payments made to agents and third parties, which were not properly disclosed.

Several high-profile transfers were reviewed as part of the case, including deals involving Eden Hazard, Willian and David Luiz. None of the players were accused of any wrongdoing.

Chelsea’s current ownership group, led by Todd Boehly and BlueCo, reported the issues to the Premier League, UEFA and the FA following their takeover in 2022 a move that significantly influenced the outcome of the case.

The club avoided a harsher sanction as a result. The Premier League said the fine had been reduced from £20 million due to Chelsea’s “exceptional cooperation” and “pro-active self-reporting,” while a potential two-year transfer ban was not enforced. Instead, the club received a one-year ban suspended for two years along with a nine-month restriction on signing academy players. The BBC was among the outlets to report how cooperation played a key role in limiting the punishment.

However, the FA’s separate investigation is still ongoing and could yet lead to additional sanctions. According to reports from the Daily Express, a points deduction is considered unlikely, though the governing body has the authority to impose one. The Times has reported that the process is nearing its conclusion.

In its findings, the Premier League said the payments were made with the knowledge of senior figures at the club at the time, and were linked to entities associated with former owner Roman Abramovich.

Chelsea said in a statement they are “pleased that the matter is now concluded,” referring to the Premier League case.

Head coach Liam Rosenior also downplayed any potential disruption, suggesting the club can now move forward.

“It’s not a negative distraction,” he said. “That’s a line drawn through that issue and we can move on and plan to make this club as strong as possible in the long term.”

The final outcome may ultimately depend on the FA’s decision one that could determine whether this long-running case is fully closed or not.

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Sources: Premier League, BBC, The Times, Daily Express