FIFA has rejected Chelsea’s appeal to have their one-year transfer ban lifted for breaches relating to the signings of minors.
Chelsea were banned from registering new players for two transfer windows in February, prompting them to take action.
However, their plea for the embargo to be frozen during the appeals process has now been followed by FIFA standing by its verdict.
FIFA has rejected Chelsea’s appeal to have their one-year transfer ban lifted for breaches relating to the signings of minors.
Chelsea were banned from registering new players for two transfer windows in February, prompting them to take action.
However, their plea for the embargo to be frozen during the appeals process has now been followed by FIFA standing by its verdict.
A statement read: “The FIFA Appeal Committee has decided to partially uphold the appeal lodged by Chelsea FC against the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to sanction the club with a ban on registering new players at both national and international level for the next two complete and consecutive registration periods.
“This ban applied to the club as a whole – with the exception of the women’s and futsal teams – and did not prevent the release of players.
“With respect to all men’s teams, the ban on registering new players, both nationally and internationally for two registration periods, has been confirmed by the FIFA Appeal Committee, with the following exception:
“The FIFA Appeal Committee believes that Chelsea’s wrongdoing consisted in not respecting the prohibition from internationally transferring or registering for the first time foreign minor players. In the committee´s opinion, imposing a ban on registering each and every minor would not be proportionate to the offence committed.
“Consequently, the FIFA Appeal Committee decided that, as far as youth categories are concerned, the ban shall not cover the registration of minor players under the age of 16 who do not fall under the scope of art. 19 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, which refers to international transfers and first registrations of foreign minor players.
“Additionally, the FIFA Appeal Committee confirmed the fine of CHF 600,000. The decision issued by the FIFA Appeal Committee was notified today.”
Maurizio Sarri’s will now look to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for respite.
As it stands, they cannot register any new players this summer or next January.