Chelsea Staff Warned Over Fantasy Premier League Use

Chelsea have issued a warning to their staff regarding the use of Fantasy Premier League and other public gaming platforms. This move comes after Joao Pedro's injury was seemingly disclosed through team selections on the platform. An email was sent to staff reminding them of the potential consequences of using inside information when playing Fantasy Premier League. The email aims to prevent future incidents of inadvertently revealing team news.

The incident occurred when several influential Fantasy Premier League content creators claimed to have seen evidence that forward Morgan Rogers, along with several members of Chelsea staff, had removed Pedro from their Fantasy Premier League teams before kick-off at Stamford Bridge. This was despite no club announcement having been made about his injury. Pedro's absence from the game against Tottenham was a surprise, and it was later revealed that he had sustained a quad injury.

Chelsea's problems with leaks are not new. During former manager Liam Rosenior's four-month spell in charge last season, team selections were leaked before both legs of the club's Champions League defeat by Paris St-Germain. Additionally, former defender Marc Cucurella's barber had revealed on social media that Pedro and Cole Palmer would miss a trip to Brighton last season after discussing the matter with his client.

Xabi Alonso, Chelsea's manager, was asked about the matter by BBC Sport after the defeat. He replied: “I am not into the fantasy team thing, so I didn’t know that.” Alonso, 44, has generally been guarded when discussing injury issues in media conferences since joining Chelsea in the summer.

Chelsea regard the incident as an isolated case that can be managed through greater awareness among players and staff. As a result, no further restrictions are expected on Fantasy Premier League use. The club is taking steps to prevent similar incidents in the future by reminding staff of the importance of discretion when using public gaming platforms.

The issue of revealing team news through Fantasy Premier League use is not unique to Chelsea. There have been many further examples, claiming to suggest players from clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, Leicester and Newcastle made revealing changes to their teams. BBC Sport has identified accounts believed by Fantasy Premier League trackers to be linked to high-profile players and figures at clubs across the division.

The incident highlights the challenges of managing team news in the digital age. Chelsea's warning to staff serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance when using public gaming platforms. By taking steps to prevent future incidents, the club aims to maintain the integrity of their team news and prevent leaks that could impact their performance.

Key points

• Chelsea warns staff on Fantasy Premier League use after Joao Pedro's injury was inadvertently revealed through team selections.