Chelsea 'in talks with the Premier League to agree financial settlement for secret payments allegedly made to agents during Roman Abramovich era - with the Blues confident of avoiding a points deduction'
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Chelsea are in negotiations with the Premier League over a financial settlement for potential financial breaches during Roman Abramovich's ownership of the club, according to a report. Russian-Israeli oligarch Abramovich, 57, owned the Blues between 2003 and 2022, until he was sanctioned by the UK government and disqualified as a director of the club by the top flight after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
![[Payments were allegedly made to Eden to Hazard (centre)'s agent, John Bico, as well as fees related to the transfers of Willian (centre right) and Samuel Eto'o to Chelsea]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/15/18/94133135-14288967-image-a-30_1736965225734.jpg)
When the Todd Boehly-led consortium purchased Chelsea in May 2022, they self-reported historical cases of incomplete financial information during Abramovich's tenure. The Guardian and Bureau of Investigative Journalism later reported that leaked documents showed how Abramovich allegedly used offshore companies to make transactions to agents and associates, which appeared to benefit Chelsea.
![[Chelsea's new owners self-reported the incomplete financial information upon their takeover]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/15/19/94133115-14288967-Chelsea_s_new_owners_self_reported_the_incomplete_financial_info-a-1_1736968843470.jpg)
These alleged payments were said to be worth tens of millions of pounds and could therefore have breached financial rules if not officially declared. Punishment for the offence could have seen the Blues hit with a points deduction but, according to The Times, the club are working on a financial settlement with the Premier League.
![[Premier League CEO Richard Masters revealed that the investigation was reaching its conclusion in August]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/15/19/94133169-14288967-Premier_League_CEO_Richard_Masters_revealed_that_the_investigati-a-2_1736968843611.jpg)
The Guardian and Bureau of Investigative Journalism reported leaked documents showed how Roman Abramovich allegedly used offshore companies to make payments for the benefit of Chelsea. Payments were allegedly made to Eden to Hazard (centre)'s agent, John Bico, as well as fees related to the transfers of Willian (centre right) and Samuel Eto'o to Chelsea.
