Chelsea fue multado con 13.5 millones de dólares por infracciones de la FA, evitando la deducción de puntos de la Premier League

Chelsea has been fined £10 million (£13.41 million) by the English Football Association (FA) for admitting to 74 breaches of its rules, according to an official statement released on Friday. The fines follow a self-reporting process initiated by the club after its takeover by US billionaire Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital in May 2022. The breach-related sanctions did not include a points deduction in the Premier League, despite an initial ruling that proposed a suspended six-point penalty. This decision came after an appeal by the club, which was granted by an independent Appeal Board. The breaches covered a range of regulatory issues, including violations related to third-party investments and interactions with intermediaries. These infractions were identified during an internal review conducted by Chelsea, which led to the disclosure of numerous documents to relevant authorities. The club stated that it had cooperated fully with regulators, providing extensive documentation to support its compliance efforts. The FA confirmed that the £10 million fine is final and will be used to fund grassroots football programs. The fine marks the latest in a series of financial penalties imposed on Chelsea due to historical regulatory violations. In March, the club received a record £10.75 million fine for breaching Premier League rules, alongside a one-year transfer ban for first-team players, suspended for two years, and a nine-month restriction on academy player transfers. These measures were part of broader disciplinary actions taken by the league in response to past misconduct. The current sanctions come amid ongoing scrutiny of Chelsea's governance practices, particularly following its acquisition by Boehly and Clearlake Capital. The takeover, completed in late 2022, saw the club commit to transparency and cooperation with regulatory bodies, a stance reflected in its recent disclosures. The club has emphasized its commitment to operating within the bounds of the sport’s rules and has pledged continued engagement with oversight institutions. The FA’s decision to suspend the points deduction reflects a nuanced approach to handling the club’s history of regulatory non-compliance. While the initial ruling suggested a severe impact on the team’s standing in the league, the appeal process resulted in a more lenient outcome. The suspended two-window registration ban, however, remains in place until June 30, 2027, affecting the club’s ability to register new players during specific periods. Chelsea, based in west London, has historically been one of England’s most successful clubs, having secured the Premier League title six times and winning the UEFA Champions League twice, in 2012 and 2021. Despite these achievements, the club has faced increasing pressure to maintain ethical and legal standards, especially in light of recent regulatory actions. The current sanctions underscore the ongoing challenges faced by the club as it navigates the complexities of modern football governance.