Simon Jordan has accused Chelsea of being 'bigger and worse offenders' than Manchester City, arguing the Blues broke financial rules

Simon Jordan has claimed Chelsea are 'bigger and worse offenders' than Manchester City, arguing the club violated financial regulations despite having already profited from Roman Abramovich's expenditure before stricter controls were implemented. His remarks follow City being found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges levelled by the Premier League.

City deny any wrongdoing and have lodged an appeal against the verdict. Meanwhile, Chelsea emerged as one of English football's powerhouse clubs after Abramovich purchased the side from Ken Bates in 2003, with substantial investment enabling them to secure consecutive Premier League titles under Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea won 21 trophies throughout Abramovich's tenure, including five Premier League crowns and two Champions Leagues. However, Chelsea subsequently acknowledged breaches concerning undisclosed payments during his stewardship.

Earlier this year, the club were hit with a £10.75million fine and handed a suspended one-year first-team transfer ban over those violations. Chelsea also received an immediate nine-month academy transfer ban and a separate £750,000 fine for breaches connected to youth player registrations.

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The financial violations involved £47.5m in undisclosed payments made between 2011 and 2018 by third-party entities linked to Abramovich, for Chelsea's benefit. The Times reported that the payments related to deals involving Eden Hazard, Willian, Ramires, David Luiz, Andre Schurrle, Nemanja Matic and Samuel Eto'o, alongside three unnamed players.

Payments were also reportedly made to former director of football Frank Arnesen and scout Piet de Visser.

Chelsea's self-reporting and co-operation were considered when deciding the sanctions. The Premier League also determined that the club would not have breached its profitability and sustainability regulations even if the undisclosed payments had been correctly included in their financial submissions.

Jordan contended that their early expenditure under Abramovich provided them with an advantage before financial constraints were tightened. He maintains their subsequent rule-breaking warrants greater examination, questioning why City have generated more outrage.

Speaking on Piers Morgan's Sports Uncensored, he said: "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.

"Why there is 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.'

"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."

Chelsea have been approached for comment by the Manchester Evening News.