# Premier League Investigating ‘Secret Payments’ Made by Chelsea During Deals to Sign Willian and Samuel Eto
The Premier League is investigating ‘secret payments’ made by Chelsea during their deals to sign Willian and Samuel Eto, according to reports. Chelsea signed Willian for £32 million from Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013 before Eto’o joined Stamford Bridge from the Russian club a week later.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Chelsea are under investigation by the Premier League for potential financial rule breaches during Roman Abramovich’s reign. Chelsea’s new owners reported their own club to the Premier League, UEFA and the Football Association after seeing payments to offshore companies, as well as a player’s family, during the £4.25 billion takeover last year.
According to The Times, financial records from the Abramovich era indicate that payments may have been made to ‘Russian entities’ during the deals for Willian and Eto’o. If found guilty, the club could face a fine or even a points deduction.
In July, Chelsea agreed to pay UEFA €10m (£8.6m) due to ‘incomplete financial reporting’ during the Abramovich era. A statement from Chelsea read: ‘These allegations pre-date the club’s current ownership. They concern 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. Immediately following the completion of the purchase, the club proactively self-reported these matters to all applicable football regulators.
‘In accordance with the club’s ownership group’s core principles of full compliance and transparency the club has proactively assisted the applicable regulators with their investigations and will continue to do so.’
The Premier League is now investigating whether any secret payments were made during the deals for Willian and Eto’o. If found guilty, Chelsea could face a hefty fine or even a points deduction. The investigation is ongoing and the outcome is yet to be determined.
Chelsea have been proactive in their approach to the investigation, self-reporting any potential financial rule breaches to all applicable football regulators. The club has also agreed to pay UEFA €10m (£8.6m) due to ‘incomplete financial reporting’ during the Abramovich era.
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