Chelsea among FIVE Premier League clubs facing transfer ban

Chelsea among FIVE Premier League clubs facing ban [Courtesy]

Chelsea are reportedly among five Premier League clubs facing a transfer ban amid FIFA's investigation into the signing of foreign players under the age of 18.

The quintet could each face two-year bans from signing players if found guilty by world football's governing bodies, according to French outlet Mediapart, who are one of the websites publishing documents obtained by Football Leaks.

FIFA's rules prohibit international transfers involving players under the age of 18 whose parents have emigrated for reasons unconnected to football, or if the buying club and the player are based within 50km of a national border.

The only exceptions relate to transfers within the EU or European Economic Area.

Spanish giants Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have already been found guilty of infringements, with the Catalan giants and Atletico each serving a two-window embargo.

Traore in action for Chelsea [Courtesy]

Real's punishment was halved to one window on appeal.

The investigation into Chelsea was first triggered by the case of Bertrand Traore, who now plays his football for Lyon.

Traore was signed by the Blues in January 2014, immediately after his 18th birthday, but was pictured playing in an Under-18s game against Arsenal aged just 16.

Chelsea subsequently admitted they had agreed a first-refusal option to sign Traore in April 2011, and claim it was registered and approved by the FA and the Premier League.

A brief Chelsea statement said they had 'fully cooperated with FIFA and provided comprehensive evidence demonstrating its compliance with the applicable FIFA regulations'.

The other four clubs reportedly involved are not known, but FIFA confirmed in September 2017 that Manchester City were under review for their conduct involving youth players.