Chelsea paid out huge fees owed to agents right before owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned on March 10.
Data from February 2021 via the FA show that they paid £35million to intermediaries last year, the highest of any Premier League club.
And fees this year were paid just days before Abramovich had his assets in the UK frozen over links to Russia president Vladimir Putin.
Agents paid will have included the likes of Mino Raiola, who represents summer signing Romelu Lukaku.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea usually make commission payments biannually, with intermediaries ordinarily paid in September and February.
The most recent payment date would have fallen shortly before the sanction saga began, which has caused huge financial worry for Chelsea, the team, the staff, and the fans.
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