A sports law expert has described Chelsea's punishment for undisclosed transfer payments as the 'deal of the decade', arguing that the club should have faced a points deduction. Simon Leaf, a partner at Three Points Law, believes Chelsea gained a sporting advantage from the payments made under former owner Roman Abramovich, which facilitated signings including Eden Hazard.
Chelsea were fined £10.75 million and given a suspended one-year transfer ban after self-reporting the payments to the Premier League. The club's 'exceptional co-operation' was cited as a factor in avoiding a points penalty. However, Leaf contends that the reasoning in the sanction agreement is flawed, as it conflates the absence of a Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) breach with no sporting consequence.
Leaf noted that the agreement does not mention the phrase 'sporting advantage', unlike in cases involving Everton and Nottingham Forest, where it was referenced multiple times. He argued that the payments, totalling £47.5 million, clearly provided a sporting advantage, making a points deduction appropriate. He described the conflation of PSR compliance with sporting impact as a 'significant sleight of hand'.
The expert also suggested that Manchester City, facing over 100 charges for alleged financial breaches, would be 'heartened' by the outcome. He pointed to a softer, more conciliatory approach by the Premier League in recent cases. The Premier League has been contacted for comment on Leaf's remarks.
