In the shocking update regarding Chelsea’s transfer situation, FIFA has banned the London based club from signing any new players for the next two transfer window.
The Blues were found guilty of breaching rules regarding the registration of players under the age of 18. FIFA has released an official statement where the governing body has taken action against both Chelsea Football Club and English Football Association for breaking the rules for the registration of as much as 29 minor players.
Transfer Ban:
The official statement reads: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the English club Chelsea FC and The Football Association for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18.”
“Chelsea was found to have breached art. 19 of the Regulations in the case of twenty-nine (29) minor players and to have committed several other infringements relating to registration requirements for players. The club also breached art. 18bis of the Regulations in connection with two agreements it concluded concerning minors and which allowed it to influence other clubs in transfer-related matters.”
The club has been heavily punished for their offences with a ban of the two next transfer window, transfer window of summer 2019 and January 2020. Chelsea has also been fined CHF 600,000 for the same.
“The Disciplinary Committee sanctioned Chelsea with a ban on registering new players at both national and international level for the next two (2) complete and consecutive registration periods. This ban applies to the club as a whole – with the exception of the women’s and futsal teams – and does not prevent the release of players.”
“Additionally, the club was fined CHF 600,000 and given a period of 90 days to regularise the situation of the minor players concerned.”
English FA fined too:
English FA has also been found guilty in the transfer and registration of minor players. The FA will have to pay the fine of CHF 510,000 and will have to address the situation in the next six months.
“The Football Association was also found to have breached the rules in connection with minors,” the statement continues. “It was fined CHF 510,000 and given a period of six months to address the situation concerning the international transfer and first registration of minors in football”
Both Chelsea and English Football Association will be allowed to appeal the decision before FIFA’s Appeal Committee. But if the ban stands even after the appeal, the Blues will find themselves in a lot of trouble.
Christian Pulisic, who was signed in January and join the club in the summer will then become the last major acquisition by the club before they are allowed to enter the transfer market in the summer of 2020. And with Eden Hazard reportedly hell-bent on joining Real Madrid in the summer, the Blues could be in a big trouble for the next season.
Chelsea will also be stuck with Giroud and on-loan Higuain for the role of a striker, with both the veterans nowhere near their best at the moment. The Blues will have to turn their attention to the 40+ players, who are currently on loan at various clubs. But with Maurizio Sarri already under fire for failing to give Callum Hudson-Odoi proper chances, there is a question mark about the opportunities that the youngster will get.
The Blues will be in action on Sunday, as they face Manchester City in the final of the League Cup.
Author’s Take:
Already struggling with their poor form, uncertainty around the future of the manager and their star player Eden Hazard and criticized for not giving proper opportunities to the youngsters, Chelsea definitely could have done without this new problem.
The transfer ban will change a lot of things at the club. Will it give Callum Hudson-Odoi a chance to prove his worth? Will Chelsea gamble selling Hazard to Real Madrid and rely on Christian Pulisic? And most importantly can Chelsea afford to let Maurizio Sarri go now as the Italian’s departure will also make things tricky to keep Gonzalo Higuain at the club?
Only time will tell!
