Chelsea to Challenge FIFA Transfer Ban at Court of Arbitration for Sport

Chelsea have confirmed they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after FIFA rejected most of the club’s challenge against a two-window transfer ban.

The Premier League side were initially banned from registering new players for two consecutive transfer periods after FIFA found them guilty of breaching rules relating to the recruitment of minors.

Chelsea denied wrongdoing and appealed the decision.

FIFA’s appeal committee later announced that it had partially upheld the club’s appeal, but the main transfer restriction remained in place.

The only significant change concerned certain players under the age of 16 who were not involved in international transfers or first registrations of foreign minors.

As a result, Chelsea would still be unable to sign male players over the age of 16 during the affected transfer windows.

The club expressed disappointment with FIFA’s ruling and confirmed that it would take the matter to CAS.

“Chelsea FC categorically refutes the findings of the FIFA appeal committee,” the club said in a statement.

Chelsea added that it believed it had acted in accordance with the relevant regulations and would continue to challenge the sanction.

The transfer ban came at a difficult time for the club, with Eden Hazard heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Chelsea were concerned that they could lose one of their most important players without being able to sign a replacement if the ban remained in force.