Pochettino Says Tottenham Should Be Awarded 2016-17 Premier League Title Over Chelsea
Key Points
- Chelsea finished seven points clear of Tottenham in 2016-17 but were fined £10.75m in March for historical rule breaches between 2011 and 2018.
- Pochettino managed Tottenham from 2014 to 2019 and said the team 'didn't compete with the same rules' as Chelsea.
- Chelsea self-reported 74 breaches of Football Association rules to current owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in 2022, admitting £47m in undisclosed payments to agents and third parties.
The Premier League investigation identified payments made to players and representatives across multiple transfers, naming Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto'o, Willian, Ramires, David Luiz, Andre Schurrle, and Nemanja Matic as transfers involved in the undisclosed payments. Four of those players—Hazard, Willian, Matic, and David Luiz—were part of Chelsea's 2016-17 title-winning squad.
Pochettino acknowledged the controversial nature of his position but defended it as factual consequence. "I'm not scared to say the truth. The Chelsea fans will be upset with me because I'm saying this, but if we were at Tottenham and broke the rules I'd admit the same," the Argentine manager said.
Read Next
Steve Borthwick England Contract Extended Past 2028 Six Nations
1 days ago
Sabalenka Beats Noskova 7-6 7-6: US Open Defence Reaches Semifinals
1 days ago
Chelsea's punishment was ultimately limited to the fine after the Premier League assessed recalculations of the club's historical financial submissions. The investigation concluded that had the undisclosed payments been properly registered at the time, Chelsea would not have breached profitability and sustainability rules, leading the league to determine that a points deduction would not be appropriate. A six-point deduction that had been initially "set aside" remained inactive.
Pochettino's tenure at Tottenham produced no major trophies, with second place in 2017 representing his best league finish during five years in charge. He later became Chelsea manager for the 2023-24 season. The broader precedent of stripping titles due to financial rule violations remains extremely rare in Premier League history, making Pochettino's direct call for retroactive redistribution of championship honors an unusual public statement from a former manager.
Related coverage: Steve Borthwick England Contract Extended Past 2028 Six Nations
Sources: BBC Sport and other international news outlets.
Disclaimer: This article was produced with AI assistance based on publicly available news sources. While we strive for accuracy, NewsOracle makes no warranty as to the completeness or accuracy of the information. Errors and omissions may occur. Readers should independently verify all information before acting on it. NewsOracle does not intend to defame any individual or organisation and accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this content. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, medical, or professional advice. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.
NewsOracle Editorial
The NewsOracle Sports Desk covers breaking sports news from the NFL, NBA, Premier League, UFC, tennis, cricket and major global sporting events.
Latest coverage: Premier League
