{"id":295312,"date":"2023-11-15T11:09:32","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T11:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=295312"},"modified":"2023-11-15T11:09:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T11:09:32","slug":"chelsea-could-face-points-deduction-as-abramovich-allegations-come-to-light","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/soccer\/chelsea-could-face-points-deduction-as-abramovich-allegations-come-to-light\/","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea \u2018could face points deduction\u2019 as Abramovich allegations come to light"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Chelsea could reportedly be hit with a points deduction if they are found guilty of breaching strict football rules. An investigation into the reign of Roman Abramovich has prompted questions about some of the finances involved in his success as owner of the club. The 57-year-old sold the Blues in 2022 after his assets \u2013 including the club \u2013 were put under sanction by the British government following Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n

Abramovich purchased Chelsea in 2003 for \u00a3140million and quickly made it his mission to make the club one of the best in the world. He invested heavily into the squad and saw his side win a total of 19 major trophies during his time at Stamford Bridge before reluctantly selling last year.<\/p>\n

However, according to The Guardian, Chelsea are set to face \u2018fresh questions\u2019 about Abramovich\u2019s reign as leaked documents suggest that strict rules may have been breached during his tenure – including Financial Fair Play regulations. Secret payments are said to have been made during his reign, which if proven true, would prompt action from the Premier League.<\/p>\n

Leaked files allegedly show that a series of payments worth over tens of millions of pounds were made between 2013 and 2022, with the transactions routed through offshore vehicles belonging to Abramovich. It has been reported that the payments benefitted Chelsea, with agents connected to Eden Hazard and Antonio Conte allegedly among the beneficiaries. There is no suggestion that either knew about the payments.<\/p>\n

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Experts say if Chelsea are found guilty and the Premier League impose a punishment, a deduction of points is one possible sanction. Earlier this year, the Blues voluntarily reported that they had \u2018incomplete financial information\u2019 during the previous ownership (Abramovich\u2019s).<\/p>\n

The Premier League are consequently investigating their finances between 2012 and 2019. It remains to be seen whether The Guardian\u2019s alleged findings prompt further action to be taken as documents flagged are dated both \u2018during and outside the period\u2019.<\/p>\n

The appointment of Conte in 2017 is among the key moments that are expected to come under scrutiny. It is claimed on the day that he was announced as Blues boss, Federico Pastorella, who has worked closely over the years with Conte, was paid \u00a310m by an Abramovich-owned company based in the British Virgin Islands for a 75 per cent stake in Excellence Investment Fund, a business based in the US. When approached by The Guardian about the transaction, Pastorella declined to comment but insisted that he was not the agent of Conte.<\/p>\n