Chelsea given two transfer-window ban after breaching FIFA regulations

Chelsea have been banned from signing players for two transfer windows after being found guilty of breaching rules about signing minors by FIFA.

The Premier League club have also been fined more than £460,000, while the FA face a £390,000 sanction that they will also appeal, citing “concerns” with FIFA’s disciplinary processes.

The west London club were found guilty of 29 incidences of breaching article 19, which relates to the transfer of players aged under 18.

FIFA have given the club 90 days to rectify the situation concerning the players signed.

Chelsea say they “categorically refute the findings of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and will therefore be appealing the decision”.

The appeal will be heard by FIFA Appeal Committee, while the club can also appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Sky Sports News understands the punishments are a result of a three-year FIFA investigation related to the signing of more than a dozen players by Chelsea.

One of the main contentious signings was that of Bertrand Traore in 2013. Chelsea also twice breached regulations relating to third-party influence, article 18bis, FIFA said.

Chelsea will be able to sell players, but not register any new signings.

“This ban applies to the club as a whole – with the exception of the women’s and futsal teams – and does not prevent the release of players,” FIFA said in a statement.

The transfer of Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund to Chelsea should not be in danger as the player was registered in FIFA’s Transfer Matching System (TMS) in January, according to Sky Germany.

Previous instances of similar infractions involving other clubs have seen the clubs involved appeal against the penalties, delaying the implementation of a registration ban and allowing them to sign players.

Chelsea were given a transfer ban in 2009 after there was a complaint about the youth player Gael Kakuta joining illegally two years earlier. Chelsea appealed that and had the ban reduced.

Chelsea said in a statement: “The club wishes to emphasise that it respects the important work undertaken by FIFA in relation to the protection of minors and has fully cooperated with FIFA throughout its investigation.

“Initially, Chelsea FC was charged under Articles 19.1 and 19.3 in relation to 92 players. We welcome the fact that FIFA has accepted that there was no breach in relation to 63 of these players, but the club is extremely disappointed that FIFA has not accepted the club’s submissions in relation to the remaining 29 players.

“Chelsea FC acted in accordance with the relevant regulations and will shortly be submitting its appeal to FIFA.”

(c) Sky News 2019: Chelsea given two transfer-window ban after breaching FIFA regulations