3 Sep 2009Chelsea rocked by transfer ban from FIFA

Football Clubs News | Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

Chelsea will be forbidden from signing any new players until January 2011 following a ruling by FIFA.

The world football governing body has punished Chelsea after finding the English Premier League club guilty of inducing Gael Kakuta to break his contract with Lens.

After the 18-year-old French winger signed for Chelsea in 2007, Lens submitted a complaint to FIFA and the organisation's dispute resolution chamber ruled in the Ligue 1 club's favour.

"Chelsea are banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the two next entire and consecutive registration periods following the notification of the present decision," a statement from FIFA confirmed.

The west London outfit will also have pay €130,000 (£114,000) to Lens, while Kakuta has been ordered to pay compensation of €780,000, for which Chelsea are jointly liable.

A club spokesperson told BBC Sport that Chelsea are considering their position and will issue a statement shortly.

Chelsea are permitted to appeal against the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Written by Terry Mitchell

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