By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
The English Premier League (EPL) has imposed on Chelsea FC a one-year transfer ban, suspended for two years, and a record fine of £10 million (around €11.58 million), after the club admitted making secret payments of £47 million (around €54.4 million) to unregistered agents and third parties in respect of transfers between 2011 and 2018.
The club has also received an immediate nine-month academy transfer ban and a fine of £750,000 (around €868.590) in respect of the registration of academy players between 2019 and 2022.
The EPL stated that the fine of £10 million would have been double, but was reduced in view of the club's proactive self-reporting and co-operation in the investigation.
Because the club would not have breached the EPL Profitability and Sustainability Rules during the applicable seasons, even if the payments had been registered, a points deduction was not deemed, in the view of the EPL, to be an appropriate sporting sanction, to the great relief of the club.
However, the nine‑month academy transfer ban is a setback for the club, as it applies to all age groups above the entry‑level Under‑nines, although it will not have any effect upon overseas recruitment. The ban was imposed because "early contact" was made without the selling club's permission.
The outcome of the case confirms the old adage that ‘honesty is the best policy’!
Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw may be contacted by e-mail at ‘