Chelsea's rivals 'raging with Premier League' over Blues avoiding points deduction

Chelsea learned their punishment for breaching Premier League rules this week and fellow English clubs were not happy with the outcome

Chelsea's rivals have reportedly contacted the Premier League to demand answers following the outcome of the investigation into the club's £47million payments to agents and third parties. football.london reported on Monday that Chelsea will not face a points deduction after the probe into the previously undisclosed £47m outlay.

The club were instead fined £10.75m and handed a suspended transfer ban on first‑team activity, along with a nine‑month ban on signing academy players, after being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules. The Blues are expected to face another significant fine from the FA, but will avoid any sporting sanctions.

According to The Mail, senior figures from a number of top‑flight clubs have contacted chief executive Richard Masters and chair Alison Brittain to question how Chelsea received such a lenient punishment. The report adds that 'outrage was triggered in boardrooms' across the division, prompting 'multiple' calls to the league's hierarchy.

It's said that, over the past 24 hours, clubs have been described as ranging from 'exasperation to disbelief.' Seven transfers sit at the centre of the Premier League's investigation.

Deals involving Eden Hazard, Ramires, Willian, David Luiz, Andre Schurrle, Nemanja Matic and Samuel Eto'o have all been scrutinised, with payments allegedly made to third parties or unlicensed agents.

The players in the transfers are not accused of any wrongdoing. The judgement reads: "The investigation determined, and the club has similarly admitted, that the payments made… Occurred with the knowledge and approval of certain senior former officers and/or directors of the club; were made via the third party entities with funds which, it is understood, were controlled by or associated with the then owner of the club, Mr Roman Abramovich."

FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page

There are also four other players whose names have been redacted from the Premier League report, though it remains unclear why those transfers were omitted. A Premier League statement said: "As a result of the Premier League’s investigation, it was established that between 2011 and 2018, undisclosed payments by third parties associated with the club were made to players, unregistered agents and other third parties.

"These payments were not disclosed to the football regulatory authorities at the time, including the Premier League. The payments were made for the benefit of Chelsea FC and should have been treated as having been made by the club.

"The club has also accepted, among other things, that the making of these payments, as well as the failure to disclose them to the League, constituted a breach of the requirement to act in good faith towards the League."

However, the outcome has left several Premier League clubs questioning the decision, particularly in light of previous points deductions handed to Everton, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City for financial breaches.

Everton, who were initially docked 10 points, later reduced to six, were plunged into relegation trouble in 2024 for overspending.

The Toffees are reportedly planning a major protest at Saturday's match, which coincidentally is against Chelsea. Forest and Leicester have also been hit with points deductions in recent seasons, and the Premier League's stance on Chelsea has sparked anger across multiple fanbases and boardrooms.

Thursday will mark the clubs' regular shareholders' summit at the Churchill Hotel in Portman Square in London. However, the Mail have indicated that it is unlikely the matter will be raised in a public forum.

Football.london has approached the The Premier League for comment.