Chelsea banned from signing players for two transfer windows

Chelsea fans wave flags during a past Champions League match [Courtesy]

Chelsea Football Club has been banned from signing new players for the next two transfer windows after being found guilty of breaching FIFA rules on signing players under the age of 18.

This means, should Italian tactician Maurizio Sarri remain manager, he will have to work with the players he has at his disposal for the whole year.

Last year, after an investigation by Football’s governing body FIFA, the Roman-Abramovich-owned club was accused of breaking the rules on signing 25 foreign players under the age of 18.

In September, FIFA made it clear that it would look into the club’s alleged gaps regarding the signing of new players from abroad.

The first investigation was done by FIFA’s compliance unit through a Transfer Matching System (TMS) – which found out one Bertrand Traore had played for Chelsea in a non-competitive match against Arsenal at the age of 16 in the year 2011 – but was signed to the club three years later.

Youngster Bertrand Traore during his time at Chelsea [Courtesy]

Chelsea, are not allowed to sign minors from other countries unless the player and club live within 50 km of the national border or the player’s parents have emigrated for reasons not related to football.

According to Article 19 in FIFA’s constitution, the exception for transferring players in this situation is for transfers within the European Economic Area, where the players is aged either 16, 17 or 18.

The Blues, however, insisted that they fully complied with FIFA’s rules and regulations.

“Chelsea FC complies with all Fifa statutes and regulations when recruiting players,” said a spokesperson from the club. 

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