FIFA bans Chelsea from transfers over irregular signing of young players

London – World Football governing body, FIFA, on Friday confirmed English Premier League club, Chelsea has been banned from any signings for the next two transfer windows, after breaching rules by signing minors.

Chelsea’s Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard (R) reacts after Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero scored from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Burnley at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on February 10, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) found Chelsea guilty of 29 cases of breaching Article 19 of its rules, which are related to signing players under 18 years.

The English football club was also fined around 600,000 Swiss Francs (600,000 dollars), although the decision can be appealed.

Report says the decision means Chelsea will not be able to buy any players until the summer of 2020, though they will still be allowed to sell.

“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,’’ FIFA confirmed in a statement.

Chelsea is not the only big club to receive similar punishments from FIFA, as Spanish sides, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, were all punished in the past for irregularities in selection of players. (Xinhua/NAN)

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Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/02/fifa-bans-chelsea-from-transfers-over-irregular-signing-of-young-players/