Chelsea fined over £10m by Premier League for rule breaches

Chelsea have been fined £10.75m, handed a suspended ban from signing first-team players and given an immediate nine-month academy transfer ban by the Premier League over breaches of financial rules during Roman Abramovich’s ownership. The club, who still face potential sanctions from the Football Association over 74 charges of breaching agent regulations, were investigated by the league over undisclosed payments to agents, non-licensed intermediaries and other figures, including players, around signings between 2011 and 2018.

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Havertz rescues draw for Arsenal on return to Leverkusen

Kai Havertz scored a late penalty as Arsenal came from behind to draw with Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the BayArena. The German forward who spent 10 years at Leverkusen before moving to Chelsea for £71m in 2020, slotted the ball past Janis Blaswich in the 89th minute after Noni Madueke had been brought down by Malik Tillman. Arsenal had gone behind for the first time in the competition this season when Robert Andrich headed in a well-worked Alex Grimaldo corner.

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Newcastle pay penalty as Barca battle to earn draw

Lamine Yamal rescued a draw for Barcelona with a 96th-minute penalty to deny Newcastle United a famous win in the Champions League. Newcastle looked to have taken control of the first leg of their last-16 tie when Harvey Barnes fired the hosts in front with a first-time finish late on. But Barcelona were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time after substitute Dani Olmo was brought down by Malick Thiaw inside the box. Lamine Yamal stepped up and coolly sent goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale the wrong way to level the tie.

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Crystal Palace seal £48m deal for Wolves’ Strand Larsen

Crystal Palace have completed the club-record £48m signing of Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen. Palace have paid a fixed fee of £43m for the striker plus £5m in potential add-ons. Strand Larsen leaves the Premier League’s bottom club Wolves after 18 months. Palace have now broken their transfer record twice in this window following the purchase of Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur.

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Spurs in talks to sign Liverpool’s Andy Robertson

Tottenham have made an approach to sign Andrew Robertson from Liverpool. The Premier League champions are open to allowing the long-serving left-back to leave, with only five months remaining on his contract. Liverpool respect Robertson’s wish to sort his long-term future as soon as possible. There is a desire on all sides to get a deal done quickly as Thomas Frank wrestles with major availability issues at Spurs.

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