The governing body issued a statement on Friday morning confirming that the Chelsea transfer ban due to “the international transfer of minors”, as well as fining the club.
Fifa rules state that an international transfer of an under-18 player can only be given the green light if one of the following conditions is met:
- The player’s parents have moved to the country for their own, non-related reasons.
- The move takes place within the European Union if a player is aged between 16 and 18.
- The player’s home is less than 50 kilometres from the national border being crossed.
The 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.
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.