Chelsea is apparently being investigated for alleged hidden payments made in connection with the signings of Willian and Samuel Eto’o.
The Premier League is now examining Chelsea’s undisclosed payments to offshore businesses between 2012 and 2019.
Todd Boehly’s Clearlake Capital consortium discovered the payments while in the process of purchasing the club from Roman Abramovich in 2022.
After completing the takeover, the new Chelsea ownership informed the FA, Premier League, and UEFA of their discoveries.
As part of its probe, the Premier League is looking at trades involving Willian and Eto’o, according to The Times.
Willian joined Chelsea for £30 million from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013, while Eto’o arrived on a free transfer from the same club the day after Willian.
Separate payments to “Russian entities” may have been made in addition to any transfer charge, according to financial records.
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According to the article, the Premier League is also investigating one alleged payment to a player’s family.
Chelsea responded in a statement, saying, “These allegations pre-date the club’s current ownership.” They are about entities that were allegedly controlled by the club’s former owner and do not relate to any individual who is presently at the club.
“Chelsea FC’s ownership group completed its purchase of the club on May 30, 2022. During a thorough due diligence process prior to completion of the purchase, the ownership group became aware of potentially incomplete financial reporting concerning historical transactions during the club’s previous ownership.
Eto’o, meanwhile, spent just one season in West London, netting 12 times in 35 appearances, before going on to join fellow Premier League club Everton
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