Simon Jordan Claims Chelsea Are “Bigger Offenders” Than Man City Over Financial Rules

Simon Jordan says Chelsea are "bigger offenders and worse offenders" than Manchester City when it comes to breaking financial rules, and he thinks the west London club has got off lightly with fans and the media.

The former Crystal Palace owner made the claim on Piers Morgan's Uncensored. He argued that City are taking most of the anger right now, while Chelsea's own breaches have not got the same heat.

"If you believe in fairness and Man City's team have been assembled in an unfair way, but the interesting thing for me is that if you introduce unjust rules - don't be surprised when people behave unjustly," Jordan said. "Why isn't there real rage about Chelsea? Chelsea were allowed to do what Man City were never allowed to do and yet, six years after they were allowed into the room, they still cheated.

"So Chelsea got in the room, got to spend what they want, Man City come along and then people went 'no, you can't come in, we're going to shut the door now'."

He went on: "But Chelsea were already in that room and five years later, they're still cheating. So Chelsea actually are bigger offender and worse offenders than Man City. Because Man City weren't ever allowed to be in the room and they've had to cheat to get in the room. So when you think about it in those terms, start getting some ire about Chelsea as well."

His comments come after the Premier League found City guilty of 114 of the 115 financial charges against them. City strongly deny the claims and are appealing the verdict. The ruling has put the spotlight back on how clubs spent their money in the past.

Chelsea's own case dates back to the Roman Abramovich years. He bought the club in 2003, and it won 21 major trophies under his ownership. The club's current BlueCo owners reported on themselves and uncovered £47.5 million in payments that were never disclosed. The money went through third parties for Chelsea's benefit between 2011 and 2018.

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The payments reportedly involved scouts, executives and deals for stars like Eden Hazard, Willian and Nemanja Matic. Earlier this year Chelsea were fined £10.75m and handed a one-year transfer ban, which is suspended. They also got a nine-month ban on academy activity and a £750,000 fine for separate breaches over youth player registrations.

The Premier League did say Chelsea would still have met its profit and sustainability rules even if the payments had been declared. The club's decision to come forward and work with the league also softened the punishment.

For now, City wait on their appeal, which could change how the league's rules are used in the future. Chelsea, meanwhile, have to stay on the right side of the rules, because the suspended transfer ban hangs over them.