Chelsea settlement not discussed as Premier League clubs meet in London

Chelsea’s controversial sanction agreement with the Premier League was not discussed during a meeting of top-flight clubs in London.

The Blues have avoided a points penalty after admitting breaching league rules over £47.5million of undisclosed payments made under former owner Roman Abramovich to help seal transfer deals.

The club agreed to a £10.75m fine and a suspended one-year transfer ban, described by one sports law expert as “the deal of the decade”.

Club executives have privately expressed to the Press Association their surprise at the leniency of the sanctions imposed, and the consistency around the league’s disciplinary process following points deductions handed to Everton, Leicester and Nottingham Forest for breaching the league’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).

However, PA understands the topic was not on the agenda at Thursday’s meeting in central London, and nor did any club representative raise it.

It is understood there were also no further discussions around reopening talks with the EFL over a new financial settlement between the leagues, despite calls from David Kogan, the chair of the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), to do so.

One tangible outcome of the meeting was a decision to extend the £30 cap on away tickets in the Premier League for a further two seasons.

Top-flight clubs voted unanimously to retain it, and it means the cap will have been in place for 12 seasons by the time the current mandate expires in the summer of 2028.

The Premier League said in a statement: “Away fans help create the incredible atmosphere Premier League matches are renowned for.

“Since the cap’s implementation in 2016, it has contributed to attendance at away games increasing from 82 per cent to 91 per cent.

“The Premier League and clubs also acknowledge the additional costs associated with travelling to follow their teams around the country.”

Tom Greatrex, the chair of the Football Supporters’ Association which campaigned vociferously for the introduction of the cap, said: “The extension of the away cap is great news for travelling top-flight fans – the cap was an FSA idea which wouldn’t have happened without our members’ campaign work.

“Credit to the Premier League and clubs for listening to supporters on the importance of away supporters and keeping the cap in place. Long may it continue.

“We all know how much away fans add to the atmosphere in our stadiums and anything which helps them is welcome. This has saved supporters millions of pounds in total.

“We’d also encourage owners to listen to the voices of supporters’ groups at their clubs who are telling them that home ticket prices are often unaffordable and are pricing out loyal fans.”