LONDON – FIFA have banned Chelsea from the next two transfer windows after the
Premier League club was found guilty of breaching rules regarding overseas players under the age of 18, soccer’s world governing body said yesterday.
In a statement, FIFA said Chelsea had also been fined 600 000 Swiss Francs (US$599 520.26) and had been given 90 days to “regularise the situation”. The club said it would appeal the transfer ban.
After a lengthy investigation into how Chelsea register players at academy level, they were found to have breached Article 19 of the regulations in the case of 29 minor players. FIFA added the London club had also breached Article 18b is in connection with agreements it concluded concerning minors and which allowed it to influence other clubs in transfer matters. The ban does not apply to Chelsea’s women’s team.
The news of a ban is a serious blow to Chelsea who have slipped to sixth in the Premier League having lost five of their last ten games in all competitions.
Manager Maurizio Sarri, who took over in July, is already under pressure and whether he survives or not Chelsea would need squadstrengthening in the close season.
The FA said in a statement it intended to appeal against the decision and was working with FIFA and Chelsea in a constructive manner to “address the issues” raised by the case.
By contesting the ban, Chelsea could delay the sanction and be free to operate in the close season transfer window while the appeal is heard by FIFA’s Appeal Committee. (Reuters)
