FIFA has announced that Chelsea FC’s two-window transfer ban has been upheld following a breach of rules in relation to tapping up youth players.
It means that the Blues can only sign British players under the age of 16 during the ban however the club has emphasised it will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an attempt to overturn the ban.
Chelsea’s statement read: “The club notes that the FIFA Appeal Committee has decided to partially uphold the appeal lodged by Chelsea FC against the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. However, the club is very disappointed that the transfer ban of two consecutive registration periods was not overturned.
“Chelsea FC categorically refutes the findings of the FIFA Appeal Committee. It acted in accordance with the relevant regulations and will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).”
Chelsea was found to have breached FIFA regulations after signing 29 minor players, plus they were found to have committed several other infringements in relation to registration requirements for players.
FIFA also found the club to have also breached regulations concerning minors and which allowed it to influence other clubs in transfer-related matters.
FIFA’s statement outlined: “The protection of minors is a key element in FIFA’s overall regulatory framework relating to the transfer of players and effective enforcement of these rules is paramount, as also confirmed on various occasions by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
The Disciplinary Committee sanctioned Chelsea with a ban on registering new players at both national and international level for the next two complete and consecutive registration periods.
The ban applies to the club as a whole – with the exception of the women’s and futsal teams – and does not prevent the release or sale of players already contracted to the club. Chelsea’s fine of £460,000 by world football’s governing body also remained.
The Football Association (FA) was also found to have breached the rules in connection with minors and was fined £390,000.
