Mauricio Pochettino believes Chelsea should be stripped of the 2016-17 Premier League title, arguing his Tottenham team deserved it after Chelsea's admitted rule breaches. Chelsea finished seven points clear of Spurs that season but were later fined £10.75m for historical competition rule violations. Chelsea owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital self-reported 74 breaches of FA rules upon purchasing the club in 2022, admitting £47m in secret payments to unregistered agents and third parties between 2011 and 2018.

Pochettino said: "We should win one title, one Premier League. We should have been awarded it." He argued Tottenham competed under unfair conditions, noting the title belonged to "the second-best team." The Argentine, who later managed Chelsea in 2023-24, insisted he was not afraid to speak the truth. Chelsea stated it treated the matters "with the utmost seriousness." The Premier League's investigation named transfers involving Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto'o, Willian, Ramires, David Luiz, Andre Schurrle, and Nemanja Matic, though no wrongdoing was suggested against those players.

The league concluded a points deduction was inappropriate and reduced the fine by 50% due to Chelsea's proactive cooperation.