Chelsea FC has been formally charged with a staggering 74 alleged breaches of FA regulations, primarily relating to payments made to agents and intermediaries between 2009 and 2022.

The accusations, confirmed by the Football Association (FA), focus largely on the period between the 2010/11 and 2015/16 seasons. The violations reportedly involve improper dealings with agents, third-party influence, and undisclosed financial arrangements around player transfers and contracts.

Chelsea has until September 19 to formally respond to the charges, which could lead to a range of sanctions — including fines, a possible transfer ban, and even a points deduction in the Premier League.

During the time in question, the West London club was under the ownership of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who controlled Chelsea from 2003 until 2022. He sold the club to a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in the wake of UK sanctions linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

While the number of alleged violations is significant, the FA is expected to consider Chelsea’s current level of cooperation in its final ruling. According to BBC Sport, the club has been working closely with the authorities during the ongoing investigation — a factor that could mitigate potential punishment.