A former Chelsea chief has criticised the Premier League's punishment of the club, branding a £10.75m fine and suspended transfer embargo as far too lenient. The sanction follows an investigation into more than 30 rule breaches involving off-book payments totalling at least £47m, linked to transfers of star players including Eden Hazard, Willian, David Luiz and Nemanja Matic.
The breaches occurred during Roman Abramovich's ownership, with secret transactions routed through his network of offshore companies. These were exposed in a 2023 investigation by the Guardian and international partners. The league's judgment described the club's actions as involving 'deception and concealment'.
Despite the apparent severity, the penalty is a relatively mild fine and a transfer ban that is suspended indefinitely. The ex-official argued that such a light sanction fails to deter future misconduct and undermines the integrity of the competition. He suggested that harsher penalties, including a stricter transfer ban or points deduction, might still be warranted.
The Premier League has not ruled out further action, and other clubs may face similar scrutiny. The case highlights ongoing concerns about financial fair play enforcement in English football.
