Former Chelsea owner investigation raises more questions about Premier League governance

Former Chelsea owner investigation raises more questions about Premier League governance Global accounting company Deloitte reportedly helped to falsify documents to help former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich evade tax. According to BBC Panorama , assets such as mansions, superyachts and private jets worth $672 million vanished from Abramovich’s company accounts. Barrister Andrew Mitchell claims that Panorama’s evidence demonstrates ‘straightforward’ tax evasion that ‘couldn’t be more blatant’. Abramovich’s lawyers say he denies any wrongdoing, while Deloitte have claimed they acted ‘in compliance with applicable laws’ at all times. Chelsea owner triggered a domino effect Abramovich had a massive impact on the Premier League after buying Chelsea in 2003. The Russian oligarch bankrolled their most successful era, transforming them into one of the top clubs at home and abroad. His arrival in English football was undoubtedly the catalyst for change, with Chelsea’s rivals forced to find new ways to fund their operations. The Glazer family’s takeover of Manchester United and Abu Dhabi United Group’s deal to buy Manchester City can be linked to the new landscape Abramovich created. The full ramifications of the Abramovich era are yet to be uncovered, and this latest development may be just the tip of the iceberg. Having been forced by the United Kingdom government to sell Chelsea after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Abramovich has relocated to Turkey. Chelsea are still dealing with the fallout from his ownership, having recently been fined £10m for breaching rules relating to payments to agents between 2009 and 2022. They were also given a suspended ban from registering new players for two transfer windows, but had a six-point deduction set aside on appeal. The club’s decision to self-report the breaches ultimately saved them from being hit with much harsher sanctions. BBC Panorama investigation must be treated with caution The BBC has collaborated with numerous other organisations over the past few years to conduct in-depth investigations into Abramovich’s operations. The UK government sanctioned him in March 2022 over alleged links to Russian president Vladimir Putin – something he has denied. The proceeds from the sale are still frozen in a UK bank account. The money belongs to Abramovich, but he cannot access it. The BBC’s role in digging into his affairs is noteworthy. The government does not technically own the corporation, but it still has influence. The ongoing investigation has reportedly raised serious questions about the integrity of some of Abramovich’s professional advisers. However, given the BBC has been responsible for numerous high-profile scandals, public trust in its integrity and accountability is at an all-time low. The BBC Panorama team has previously been accused of systemic bias, deceptive speech editing and editorial mishandling of investigations. The Premier League has questions to answer The Abramovich case is just one part of a series of issues which raise significant questions about Premier League governance. When placed alongside Man City’s guilty verdict for their extensive financial breaches, the overall picture is not pretty. Fans of many other clubs have criticised the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test (OADT), which is clearly not fit for purpose. Allowing the Glazers to purchase Man United via leveraged borrowing is a perfect example of why the OADT does not deliver the desired results. Blackburn Rovers supporters were similarly failed by the test, with Indian owners Venky’s repeatedly failing to demonstrate they are fit to run a football club. If Abramovich, Manchester City or any other parties are found guilty, they must face severe sanctions. However, the Premier League must also take appropriate steps to get its own governance house in order.