A former Chelsea Football Club employee has confessed to a significant fraud, admitting she dishonestly took more than £200,000 from the Premier League giant over a four-year period.
Guilty Plea Entered in Court
Claire Walsh, 39, of Elm Park Gardens in Chelsea, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 28 November 2025. When asked for her plea, she stated "guilty" to a single charge of fraud by abuse of position.
The offence took place between 8 June 2019 and 23 October 2023, during which time Walsh held the position of assistant treasury manager at the club. The court heard that she abused her trusted role to obtain £208,521.65 for herself.
Case Sent to Crown Court for Sentencing
Magistrate Kieran O’Donnell informed Walsh that the severity of the offence, which exceeded £200,000, meant it was beyond the court's sentencing powers. Consequently, the case has been passed to Isleworth Crown Court for a future sentencing hearing.
A court clerk formally outlined the charge, stating that Walsh was accused of dishonestly abusing her position, in which she was expected to safeguard the financial interests of Chelsea Football Club.
Walsh was released on unconditional bail and will learn her fate at a later date to be determined by the crown court.
