Claire Walsh defrauded the football club between June 2019 and October 2023 [Getty Images]BBCFri, November 28, 2025 at 3:35 PM UTC·1 min readA Chelsea FC employee has admitted abusing her position to defraud the club out of more than £200,000.
Claire Walsh, 39, who worked as an assistant treasury manager at the Premier League football club, admitted dishonestly abusing her position to obtain £208,521.65 for herself.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementShe pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday to a charge of fraud by abuse of position between 8 June 2019 and 23 October 2023.
Asked what plea she would enter, Walsh, of Elm Park Gardens, Chelsea, said "guilty". She will be sentenced at a later date at Isleworth Crown Court.
Magistrate Kieran O'Donnell told her: "You've pleaded guilty to the offence and it exceeds our powers in terms of sentencing.
"You'll need to be sent to a crown court for sentencing, where they have the appropriate powers."
Walsh was released on unconditional bail.
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