Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has called for Chelsea to be stripped of their 2016/17 Premier League title. He made this demand following confirmed breaches of financial rules during the Roman Abramovich era, which has put Chelsea 2017 title under scrutiny.
According to The Guardian, Pochettino believes Tottenham, who finished second behind Chelsea that season, should retrospectively be awarded the Chelsea 2017 title. This comes after the London club admitted to multiple rule violations.
Chelsea finished seven points ahead of Pochettino’s Tottenham side to win the Chelsea 2017 title under Antonio Conte.
However, the club has since been punished over historical breaches involving transfer dealings and the use of unlicensed agents.
“The title should be for the team that was second,” Pochettino said. Indeed, many supporters believe the Chelsea 2017 title controversy raises questions about sporting fairness.
Chelsea punished over historical breaches
Chelsea were fined £10m by the Football Association in July and handed a suspended two-window transfer ban for multiple violations.
The Premier League had earlier fined the club £10.75m in March.
The breaches covered transactions between 2009 and 2022. Deals involving players including Eden Hazard, Willian, David Luiz and Nemanja Matic were among those scrutinised.
Chelsea’s current owners reported the irregularities after taking control of the club from Abramovich in 2022. This move was considered when sanctions were imposed.
The club avoided a points deduction.
Pochettino questions fairness
Pochettino, who later managed Chelsea during the 2023/24 season, argued that clubs cannot compete fairly. In his view, this is especially true if they are operating under different standards.
He acknowledged that Conte’s Chelsea played well and deserved credit for their performances. However, he maintained that admitted rule breaches should carry sporting consequences.
The Argentine said Tottenham could have approached recruitment differently had every club operated under the same conditions.
Pochettino believes failing to impose a sporting penalty risks sending the wrong message about breaking financial rules.
Spurs finished the 2016/17 campaign with 86 points, while Chelsea secured the championship with 93.
Despite Pochettino’s call, there is currently no indication that the Premier League intends to reopen the Chelsea 2017 title race. Furthermore, there is no sign the trophy will be retrospectively awarded to Tottenham.
