Chelsea is not enjoying the best of the season thanks to several losses in the EPL although they have taken a wide step in the Uropa League. The ban has had adverse effects considering that they still need to strengthen the team.
Chelsea have been hit with a two-window transfer ban for breaking rules over the signing of minors, in a fresh blow that has pushed star player Eden Hazard closer to the exit.
The fact Chelsea have confirmed they will appeal against the ban, potentially delaying it for up to a year, means the club will be under greater pressure to sell the Beglium star this summer, to reinvest the funds, before his contract expires next year.
Chelsea cannot risk Hazard leaving on a free transfer in the summer of 2020, when they could be under transfer embargo and unable to sign a replacement.
They will also need to bring in substantial sums if they are to spend heavily this summer in preparation for being banned from making any signings – and they value 28-year-old Hazard upwards of £100m.
Fifa’s ruling has no bearing on the arrival of Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund this summer, while Chelsea could still extend striker Gonzalo Higuain’s loan or sign him permanently.
Chelsea have been found guilty of 29 breaches of rules regarding the signing of players aged under 18, with Fifa fining them £460,000 and issuing a two-window transfer ban.
“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,” FIFA said in a statement.
In addition, Chelsea were fined 600,000 Swiss francs ($600,000, 530,000 euros) and given a period of 90 days to regularise the situation of the minor players concerned.
The ban does not prevent players being released by the club and it does not apply to Chelsea’s women’s and futsal teams.
Chelsea have been given three days to appeal against FIFA’s decision, which could prove highly damaging, for example preventing the club from signing a replacement for Eden Hazard if the star player leaves the club.
“Chelsea FC categorically refutes the findings of the FIFA disciplinary committee and will therefore be appealing the decision,” said a statement on the club’s website.
“Initially, Chelsea FC was charged… in relation to 92 players,” it added. “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.”
The move follows a FIFA probe into Chelsea’s signing of foreign under-18 players, including the club’s former forward Bertrand Traore, a Burkina Faso international who now plays for French Ligue 1 club Lyon.