Football Leaks turn their attentions to Chelsea
In recent weeks, Football Leaks have reserved most of their attention for Manchester City, PSG and super agent Pni Zahavi.
Now their revelations have extended to Chelsea, with some quite eye opening and damning details.
Two major stories broke on Wednesday regarding Chelsea, that are amongst the biggest on any football news portal right now.
See: Chelsea are in big trouble with FIFA: Transfer ban threat for the next four windows.
N’Golo Kante rejects Chelsea plans to pay image rights through tax haven.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Marouane Fellaini of Manchester United and Andreas Christensen of Chelsea battle for possession in the air during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on November 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Did Andreas Christensen’s transfer break Premier League rules?
Danish newspaper Politiken have revealed via Football Leaks that Chelsea may also have broken Premier League rules as well as FIFA ones in recent years.
Football Leaks show that Andreas Christensen’s father was on the Chelsea books as a scout in 2012, which could contravene Premier League rules.
In order to sign Christensen from Brondby in 2012, Chelsea also added his father as a fake talent spotter to their books.
Clubs often offer millions of pounds to the parents of talented youngsters but this is a contravention of Premier League rules.
In this case, Chelsea tried to get round the issue by adding Sten Christensen, Andreas’ father, as a scout at Chelsea and funnelled the money to the players’ dad in this manner.
From a goalkeeping coach to a scout…
Andreas Christensen signed for Chelsea on July 1, 2012, but he was not the only family member to sign for the London club that day.
Leaked documents from Chelsea illustrate that Sten Christensen was employed as a talent scout despite the fact he has no experience in this position.
Sten Christensen is a goalkeeping coach at Brondby.
In total, Sten Christensen was paid 5 million Kroner by Chelsea, which works out at just under 600,000 pounds.
The internal document located by Football Leaks places Sten Christensen’s payments as “parental salary”.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 1: General view of a Chelsea Football Club logo during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers at Stamford Bridge on November 1, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Chelsea & Sten Christensen respond to Politiken
Both Chelsea and Sten Christensen have responded to the Football Leaks claims, as put forward by Politiken.
Chelsea are quoted as saying: “We do not comment on speculation about confidential contracts or player-related cases”.
Meanwhile, Sten Christensen said: “It’s a story you’ve got from some Ukrainians or something like that. I have no comment at all… stop calling me again.”
Have Chelsea broken Premier League rules?
There are Premier League rules in place designed to prevent the bribery of underage players and their parents to sign for a particular club.
According to the Premier League: “No club may lure or attempt to entice a player to sign a contract by offering him or any person directly or indirectly a benefit or payment.”
Football Leaks claim to have many examples of Premier League clubs offering payments to lure youngsters to major clubs.
This is often done in the form of a job or some other incentive.
Bad timing for Andreas Christensen
This revelation has come at a very bad time for Andreas Christensen.
The Danish defender was a key part of Antonio Conte’s plans last season but has fallen down the pecking order under Maurizio Sarri.
Christensen has played mainly in the Europa League and Carabao Cup this season with David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger preferred for Premier League matches.
