Chelsea facing potential points deduction as Premier League investigates payments to 'secret offshore companies'

Chelsea are facing a potential points deduction as the Premier League investigates payments to a “secret offshore company” during the Roman Abramovich era, it has been claimed.

According to The Times, the Premier League is investigating Chelsea for potential financial rule breaches during Abramovich's time in charge of the club.

Indeed, the Blues’ new owners, a consortium led by Todd Boehly, are said to have reported their own club to UEFA and the Premier League after their takeover last summer.

At present Chelsea have not been charged with anything by the Premier League, however, should they be found guilty of rule breaches they could face sanctions that range from a fine to a points deduction.

The Times’ report referenced ‘sources with knowledge of the case’, who claimed that payments to approximately six off-shore accounts had been identified.

Moreover, the outlet alleged that the payments, which run into the millions, are believed to have been linked to the transfer of players who do not appear to have been registered as part of the club’s annual financial reporting to the Premier League, FA and UEFA.

Last month UEFA announced Chelsea had been fined €10million (£8.6million) for "submitting incomplete financial information" over a seven-year period between 2012 and 2019.

When approached by The Times Chelsea chose not to comment. Chelsea also chose not to comment when approached by SPORTbible.

Abramovich took over Chelsea in 2003, purchasing the club for £140million. At the time the Blues had only ever claimed one First Division title in 1955, the 1971 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and three FA Cups between 1970 and 2000.

However, the Russian billionaire’s investment saw the West Londoners win five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, two Champions League, two Europa Leagues, two Community Shields and one UEFA Super Cup.

The final trophy of Abramovich's tenure was the Club World Cup in February 2022, which came just one month before the 56-year-old sold the club.

Boehly took over the club in the summer of 2022, and the club have since faced a tumultuous time. The Blues finished 12th in the league in the American's first season in charge.