Pochettino calls for Tottenham to inherit Chelsea’s 2016–17 title

Mauricio Pochettino has called for Chelsea to lose the 2016–17 Premier League title and for runners-up Tottenham to be awarded the championship.

Chelsea finished seven points clear of Tottenham under Antonio Conte. Pochettino, who managed Tottenham from 2014 to 2019, said his former club did not compete under the same rules.

Chelsea was fined £10.75 million in March after being charged by the Premier League over historical competition-rule breaches. The club also had a proposed six-point deduction set aside on appeal.

Chelsea admitted making £47 million in secret payments to unregistered agents and third parties in transfer dealings between 2011 and 2018. The admissions followed the self-reporting of 74 Football Association rule breaches when Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital purchased the club in 2022.

Pochettino said Tottenham should inherit the title because Chelsea had been punished and admitted breaking the rules. He later managed Chelsea during the 2023–24 season.

The Premier League has not announced that the 2016–17 title will be reassigned. Tottenham did not win a trophy during Pochettino’s tenure, with second place in that season their best Premier League finish.