Chelsea deny payments

CHELSEA have denied making any illegal bonus payments to their former striker Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink.

The Dutchman claimed yesterday he was paid a bonus, said to be around £50,000 (€73,465), by billionaire owner Roman Abramovich for helping Chelsea beat Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final in March 2004. But the reigning champions and current leaders of the Premiership moved swiftly to counter any allegation of wrongdoing.

A statement read: “No payments have been made to any Chelsea player in breach of the Premier League or FA regulations. The Premier League contacted Chelsea about this at the time and were made fully aware of the situation. There is nothing to investigate.”

It is illegal, under Premier League rules, to offer players increased bonus payments once the season has started.

Chelsea vehemently deny any wrongdoing.

Hasselbaink left Chelsea to join Middlesbrough in July 2004.