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FIFA slaps Chelsea with transfer ban until January 2011
Jonathan Prynn and Tim Nichols3 Sep 2009
Chelsea have been banned from signing any players until 2011.
Football's world governing body Fifa found that in 2007 Chelsea — then managed by Jose Mourinho — “induced” French teenager Gael Kakuta to break his contract with his team Lens.
The west London club have been told they cannot buy players during the next two transfer windows in January and next August, so new Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, who only made one big summer signing this year — £18 million Russian midfielder Yuri Zhirkov — will not be able to bolster his squad until January 2011.
Lens complained to Fifa after Chelsea signed the then 15-year-old Kakuta for just £20,000 in April 2007. Fifa agreed there was a breach of contract.
Kakuta, now 18, must pay Lens £682,000 in compensation and is barred from playing for four months.
Chelsea are banned from “registering any new players, either nationally or internationally” and must also pay Lens £113,000.
Chelsea fans today threatened a mass protest.
One writing on the club's official website urged others to join in a protest “like turning our backs to the Champions League anthem”.
Others complained Chelsea were being treated unfairly.
One wrote: “Nice of FIFA to make its decision after the transfer window has closed so we didn't have the opportunity to do some panic buying to see us through the next 18 months.”
There was no immediate reaction from Stamford Bridge but Chelsea are thought almost certain to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Italian club Roma were banned for two transfer windows for signing Phillipe Mexès from French club Auxerre in 2004 but the penalty was dropped on appeal after one window.
Swiss side FC Sion were given a year-long ban for a similar offence in April.
Reader views (30)
Weebs, London - spot on. Dont let any Chelsea players play in internationals, as they cannot risk injury. Ok, it will upset England fans, but hey, club before country in my book.
- Dom, London, 04/09/2009 12:11
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I once saw an interview with Ken Bates where he stated that FIFA should be careful. World football is financed by England, Spain, Italy, France and Germany. These countries leagues could do serious damage to FIFA if they wanted to by leaving the fold.
Club football brings in the bucks not international football.
I'd love to know how John Terry feels!!
- Dan Dan, Sydney, 04/09/2009 01:39
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ha ha ha ha ha ha, couldn't happen to a nicer group of fellows.
- Ray Jarvis, Marlborough USA, 03/09/2009 22:23
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As big a fan I am of Chelsea, the punishnment clearly sets an example that transfer rules , procedures and contract obligations are met honourably in the interest of the game.
Chelsea are not above the law and I hope that Fifa will reduce the punishment to one window after the appeal is heard.
The reality now for Chelsea is rise above the occassion , use their existing players to their fullest
potential and go out and win all the major trophies; they have the talent and support. Good Luck!
- Shafique Motani, Toronto, Canada., 03/09/2009 21:13
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This FIFA action should strengthen Chelsea to perform better as this is the season the glory is coming back to London.Dont doubt.
- Kola, London, United Kingdom, 03/09/2009 20:59
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A settled squad will make a mockery of all we play in the coming months. The smirks will soon disappear. BUT as Chelsea can't afford any pointless injuries then perhaps they should refuse to let any of the squad play in international matches and give 100% to the people who pay their wages.
- Weebs, London, England, 03/09/2009 20:31
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Quite a lot of sympathetic content today and of course a sprinkling of stupidity from the resident gooners and spuds.
This will be tested in the courts and almost certainly overturned as this is contrary to european law.
Fifa, like UEFA are a spineless, corrupt, vindictive and rascist (they hate English clubs) bunch of morons. They will pander to Real/Barca/Man U. give the world cup to the murder capital of the world, bring in ridiculous laws to ruin the game, and expect respect. Football has become a joke under them.
- Anon, Purley, 03/09/2009 20:26
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FIFA and UEFA have declared war on English Football.
I hope that instead of fighting each other, the English clubs will now get their collective heads to gather and use their own lunatic European legal system against these bullyboy footballing 'authorities'.
- Tangomike, Kensington, London, 03/09/2009 18:36
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Fantastic news, about time Chelski and Kenyon were put back in there box.
I do think Michelle Panini has a grudge against English clubs
- David, London, 03/09/2009 18:26
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Clubs like Chelsea have huge coffers and arrogant attitudes and are run by people like Abramovich who have even bigger coffers and arrogant attitudes. They act like they can run roughshod over any fair dealings by whacking morality in the face with a very thick chequebook. By banning Chelsea from taking on new players, FIFA is reminding Chelsea that football is supposed to be a fair, honest game and that mob arrogance won't be tolerated. Good on FIFA.
- Ross, London, UK, 03/09/2009 18:18
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I don't suppose Madrid did much in the way of "inducements" to Ronaldo over the past 2 years?
Did United "induce" Macheda?
Utter nonsense. Who cleans-up FIFA? What about their dodgy members who seem to take "inducements" for World Cup votes?
No-one will shed a tear for Chelsea, and we don't care- this will bind-us together more strongly. Bring it on!
- Fresh, London, 03/09/2009 17:45
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Blatant and wrong attempt to punish a top British club and the timing makes it all seem very suspect, but if it does happen it will make or break Arnesen. If all the young on-loan players come back and Chelsea can bring in loan players it could be a silver lining. Time for the next John Terry to finally emerge from the Academy and if Kakuta continues showing his promise he may feel he owes us one.
- Bradchenko, Mill Hill, London, 03/09/2009 16:58
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if manchester united done the same thing do you reckon this would happen to them....i think not...scandal
- Rsaviour, london england, 03/09/2009 16:34
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It will be appealed and watered down, as someone else pointed out Fabregas is just one example of getting away with it. For anyone who thought we were liked by FIFA this is proof to the contrary!
- Westl, Putney England, 03/09/2009 16:33
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Well we have got all the quality we need and it should bring a bit more team spirit to the club.
- David, London, 03/09/2009 16:19
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Does anyone care? Really, this country is so sad.
- Norman, The Ham, 03/09/2009 16:12
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Different from Fabregas as he wasn't under contract. But I do think UFEA have got it in for Brit, sorry, English clubs in a vindictive, nasty way.
- Rob, london, 03/09/2009 16:09
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Couldn't have happened to a nicer team.
- Brian, London, 03/09/2009 16:06
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So now we can expect them to go after Barca and Milan?
Thought not.
- Ged, Blackheath, London, 03/09/2009 16:05
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nobody likes us and we don't care - who do we need when we have such quality.
- Mark, london uk, 03/09/2009 16:02
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This is FIFA, not UEFA doing this. They obviously don't understand this action is illegal under EU trade laws and cannot enforce it
- Harry, London, UK, 03/09/2009 15:47
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How does this situation differ from Faregas? Not a criticism just a question.
- Bob, London, 03/09/2009 15:19
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Oh Dear! how very, very sad - NOT!
- Paul, London, 03/09/2009 15:17
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I'm glad the governing bodies have realised that simply fining clubs like Chelsea is pointless. Chelsea were fined £300,000 and threatened with losing three points if they re-offended within a year, over the Ashley Cole tapping up saga. That obviously wasn't enough to put them off their underhand dealings.
Hopefully this transfer ban might have enough of an effect to put an end to their dodgy actions. They have thought they were above the law for far too long and simply fining them has had absolutely no effect. Thankfully FIFA have recognised this and given them a proper punishment this time.
- Michael, London, 03/09/2009 15:11
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At least we have a chance of breaking even now!
- Matt, Richmond, 03/09/2009 15:10
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Rediculous! FIFA are hell belt on penalising English clubs to ensure they do not appear in the Champions League final AGAIN. I hope M. Platini and Co are sued for all they're worth...
- Adam, London, 03/09/2009 15:08
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WTF? FIFA dont like chelsea, didnt want them to be in champions league final & now this. If it was barcelona or man utd, I reckon things would have been different.
- Dom, London, 03/09/2009 15:08
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Oh how I laughed! That'll teach Chelski and Abramovich that you can't go stomping around with a fat cheque book and expect to buy everyone they want.
- Silviouk, Brighton, 03/09/2009 14:53
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What a ridicolous ruling, this will be overturned in no time.
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London, 03/09/2009 14:48
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This kind of thing goes on all the time, seems like FIFA just wanted to stick it to moneybags Chelsea. They shouldn't actually suffer too much as they have so much quality in their squad. Its a warning signal to clubs that they do these dodgy deals at their own risk.
- James, London, Maida Vale, 03/09/2009 14:25
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