CHELSEA CHARGED WITH 74 BREACHES OF FA AGENT RULES FROM 2009 TO 2022 FROM 'SELF-REPORTED' TRANSFER PAYMENTS

The charges against Chelsea relate to payments to player agents between 2009 and 2022 [Isabel Infantes/Reuters]
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Chelsea have been charged with 74 breaches of the English Football Association's (FA) regulations on agents, intermediaries and third party ownership.

The FA said the charges relate to incidents between 2009 and 2022, when the club was owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, with the bulk of the alleged breaches taking place between the 2010-11 and 2015-16 seasons. In response Chelsea said they had been aware of "potentially incomplete financial reporting concerning historical transactions and other potential breaches of FA rules" during due diligence for the Clearlake Capital-led consortium in the spring of 2022. This was then reported to the FA upon completion of the sale.

The Blues have until September 19 to formally respond to charges which include breaches of regulations around the disclosure of the identity of agents involved in transactions. The FA's statement said: "The Football Association has today charged Chelsea FC with breaches of Regulations J1 and C2 of The FA Football Agents Regulations, Regulations A2 and A3 of The FA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries, and Regulations A1 and B3 of The FA Third Party Investment in Players Regulations.

"In total, 74 charges have been brought against Chelsea FC. The conduct that is the subject of the charges ranges from 2009 to 2022 and primarily relates to events which occurred between the 2010-11 to 2015-16 playing seasons. Chelsea FC has until 19 September 2025 to respond."

Chelsea will hope that their self reporting and cooperation with the FA investigation eases any potential sanction they could face. That all the offenses took place prior to the involvement of the US owners could also come into consideration. The Blues described themselves as having "shown unprecedented transparency" and that they were "pleased to confirm that [their] engagement with The FA... is now reaching a conclusion."

Their statement said: "Chelsea FC is pleased to confirm that its engagement with The FA concerning matters that were self-reported by the club is now reaching a conclusion.

"The club's ownership group completed its purchase of the club on 30 May 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 and other potential breaches of FA rules. Immediately upon the completion of the purchase, the club self-reported these matters to all relevant regulators, including The FA.

"The club has demonstrated unprecedented transparency during this process, including by giving comprehensive access to the club's files and historical data. We will continue working collaboratively with The FA to conclude this matter as swiftly as possible. We wish to place on record our gratitude to The FA for their engagement with the club on this complex case, the focus of which has been on matters that took place over a decade ago."

- James Benge

THOMAS PARTEY'S LAWYER RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER EX-ARSENAL STAR CHARGED WITH FIVE COUNTS OF RAPE

Thomas Partey's lawyer has released a statement after the former Arsenal star was charged with five counts of rape

Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Thomas Partey's lawyer has insisted the former Arsenal midfielder “denies all the charges against him" after he was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by the Metropolitan Police.

The 32-year-old allegedly carried out the offences between 2021 and 2022, the Met Police said. Partey has been charged with two counts of rape of one woman, three counts of rape to a second woman and one count of sexual assault of a third woman.

In a statement, Partey's lawyer Jenny Wiltshire said her client "fully co-operated with the police and CPS" during the three-year investigation. "Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him," she said. "He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation.

"He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name. Given that there are now ongoing legal proceedings, my client is unable to comment further."

Partey signed for Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 for a fee of £45million. He went on to make 167 appearances for the club before leaving following the expiration of his contract on June 30.

Partey, of Hertfordshire, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, whose team is leading the investigation, said: “Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.

“We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team. You can contact detectives about this investigation by emailing CIT@met.police.uk.”

- Sam Truelove

FOOTBALLER THOMAS PARTTEY CHARGED WITH RAPE

Arsenal FC via Getty

Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey has been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

The offences are reported to have taken place between 2021-2022, the Metropolitan Police said.

The charges involve three women with two counts of rape relating to one woman, three counts of rape in connection to a second woman and one count of sexual assault linked to a third woman.

The 32-year-old's contract with Arsenal ended on Monday after playing with the team since 2020. BBC News has contacted the team for comment.

The charges follow an investigation by detectives, which started in February 2022 after police first received a report of rape.

Det Supt Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, said: "Our priority remains providing support to the women who have come forward.

"We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team. You can contact detectives about this investigation by emailing CIT@met.police.uk"

Mr Partey, of Hertfordshire, is expected to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 5 August.

He joined Arsenal for £45.3m from Atletico Madrid in October 2020, made 35 top-flight appearances last season and scored four goals as the London club finished second in the Premier League.

He also played 12 times in the Champions League as the Gunners reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by eventual winners Paris St-Germain.

Overall, he made 130 Premier League appearances for Mikel Arteta's side, scoring nine goals.

Mr Partey has also made appearances for Ghana's national team.

- Hannah Price

RYAN GARCIA CHARGED WITH ONE MISDEMEANOR COUNT FOR VANDALISM

X.com

Boxing star Ryan Garcia was formally charged with one misdemeanor count of vandalism following his June 8 arrest for allegedly vandalizing the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County district attorney George Gascón announced Thursday.

Garcia, 25, is set to be arraigned Aug. 7 at the Airport Courthouse. If convicted, Garcia faces a maximum sentence of one year in county jail.

"While we are grateful no injuries were reported in this incident, reckless behavior that damages property shows a blatant and unacceptable disregard for the safety and peace of our community," Gascón said. "Our office will work to ensure the responsible individual is held accountable."

Garcia caused an estimated $15,000 in damage, a Beverly Hills Police Department watch commander told ESPN the day he was arrested. The formal charge was for $400 or more in damage or destruction of property.

"No way I'm going to jail," Garcia posted on X after Thursday's announcement.

Garcia's attorney, Michael A. Goldstein, said in a statement that Garcia apologized to hotel personnel and reimbursed the hotel for the damage caused.

"The past several months have been difficult for Ryan and he understands he has reached a crossroads in both his personal life and career," Goldstein said. "Going forward, he knows the focus must be on his well-being and mental health issues which have been strained. There is no alternative. He apologizes to anyone he has offended with his behavior and words and hopes the investment in his own well-being will demonstrate the sincerity of his apology.

"With regard to the pending misdemeanor criminal matter, we expect to reach a resolution that recognizes his immediate reimbursement, his personal issues and lack of past criminal history. Ryan appreciates the love and support that he has received and hopes to remain in your prayers."

Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) was suspended one year last month by the New York Athletic Commission after he tested positive for the banned substance ostarine in the lead-up to his majority decision victory over Devin Haney in April in a major upset.

The result -- Garcia floored Haney three times -- was overturned to a no contest. Garcia is eligible to return in April.

- Mike Coppinger, ESPN Boxing Insider

KAVEH SOLHEKOL ON MANCHESTER CITY BEING CHARGED BY PREMIER LEAGUE