FIFA rejects Chelsea’s appeal against 2-window transfer ban

Earlier this year, the world governing body announced that the west London club has been banned from signing players in the next two transfer windows for breaching rules in relation to youth players until the end of January 2020.

Following an appeal to argue the ruling, FIFA rejected the appeal and stated that Chelsea’s wrongdoing consisted in not respecting the prohibition from internationally transferring or registering for the first time foreign minor players.

A statement from FIFA on Wednesday reads: “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.”

Chelsea has responded to the decision, saying in a statement: “Chelsea FC has today received the decision of the FIFA Appeal Committee.

“The club notes that the FIFA Appeal Committee has decided to partially uphold the appeal lodged by Chelsea FC against the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. However, the club is very disappointed that the transfer ban of two consecutive registration periods was not overturned.

“Chelsea FC categorically refutes the findings of the FIFA Appeal Committee. It acted in accordance with the relevant regulations and will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).”