Chelsea warned treatment of ‘bomb squad’ could be ‘abusive conduct’

CHELSEA have been warned that their treatment of Raheem Sterling and the “bomb squad” could amount to “abusive conduct” under Fifa rules.

Professional Footballers Association chief executive Maheta Molango personally contacted the Blues to raise concerns about the working conditions of Sterling and other unwanted players.

But Chelsea strongly reject any suggestion that they are guilty of abusive behaviour.

Sterling was part of a group of stars who were cut off from Enzo Maresca’s first-team squad all summer.

As SunSport revealed, they were forced to change, train, eat and even go to the loo separately.

Axel Disasi posted a photograph on Instagram of their makeshift dressing room with a caption in French that translated: “Don’t let yourself get discouraged.”

Disasi and Sterling are now the only remaining members of the original bomb squad after others including Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell and David Datro Fofana secured moves away from the club.

This week, Sterling put up an image on social media of the Blues’ HQ in Surrey as he trained on his own after 8pm in the autumn chill.

Molango is believed to have reminded Chelsea that Fifa consider clubs who isolate players and/or force them to train alone could be guilty of "abusive conduct".

Article 14 of Fifa Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players reads: “A contract may be terminated by either party without consequences of any kind (either payment of compensation or imposition of sporting sanctions) where there is just cause.

“2. Any abusive conduct of a party aiming at forcing the counterparty to terminate or change the terms of the contract shall entitle the counterparty (a player or a club) to terminate the contract with just cause.”

But the rules are designed more to protect lower-level players and clubs who want to tear up a contract rather than to sort out stand-offs between highly-paid superstars like Sterling and Disasi and elite clubs like Chelsea.

In theory the Blues pair could test the rules by claiming their treatment is designed to force them to tear up their contract or accept a move to another club on lower wages.

But if they were to win a case brought before Fifa, they would likely have to write off the remaining money they were due to be paid by Chelsea - in Sterling’s case, around £30m with nearly two years left on his £325,000 per week deal.

So, in reality, the PFA’s intervention is really only a shot across Chelsea’s bows that aims to help resolve the situation.

The players’ union has similar conversations with players and clubs at all levels of the game.

But they have more clout in cases like the repeated failure of Championship side Sheffield Wednesday to pay their players.

In any case, Chelsea are adamant they have done nothing that could be interpreted as “abusive conduct”.

The Blues feel they have engaged consistently with the PFA over the 'bomb squad' situation.

Sterling and Disasi will continue to have access to a dedicated coach and facilities at Chelsea’s Cobham training base ahead of all parties trying to find a solution in the January transfer window.

Disasi turned down offers from West Ham and Sunderland late in the summer.

There were rumours of interest in Sterling from Bayern Munich, Napoli, Crystal Palace and Fulham, but nothing progressed.

The four-time Premier League winner made it clear he had no interest in going to the Saudi Pro League or MLS and would prefer to stay in the London area.

So Chelsea’s treatment of Sterling and Disasi will remain under the spotlight for a few more months at least.