Chelsea banned from making player transfers

Chelsea have been banned from registering any new players for the next two transfer windows. A Fifa statement said: "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." The decision effectively means the English club cannot register any new players until January 2011. The punishment was handed out by Fifa following a contractual dispute involving the transfer of Gael Kakuta from French club Racing Lens in 2007. Following a complaint from Lens, Fifa's Dispute Resolution Chamber ruled that Kakuta had breached his contract with the French club and that Chelsea had induced him to do so. The player was ordered to pay 780,000 euros (£682,000) compensation and was handed a four-month ban from competitive matches. Chelsea were also ordered to pay training compensation of 130,000 euros (£113,000) to Lens. The club have the right to appeal against the decision and take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. Given the severity of the punishment, it is almost certain the club will take that course of action. Kakuta, a skilful left-winger, is seen as Chelsea's most promising young player. He ended his first season as top scorer in the youth side and was voted the Academy's player of the year. His second season was brought to an abrupt end in February by a double fracture of his ankle.

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ITN | September 3, 2009

Tags:. .severity. .effectively. .french. .course. .training