Chelsea to take case to CAS after Fifa reject transfer-ban appeal

Chelsea have confirmed they will take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the club’s appeal against a transfer ban was rejected by Fifa. 

It has been decided that the Blues can sign under-16 players from the UK during the suspension period. But otherwise the transfer ban, enforced for the next two transfer windows, stays in place.

Fifa imposed the ban following an investigation into Chelsea’s signing of foreign under-18 players. The governing body said it found breaches of their rules in 29 cases of the 92 investigated.

“The Fifa appeal committee has decided to partially uphold the appeal lodged by Chelsea,” Fifa said in a statement.

“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.”

In response, Chelsea said they were “very disappointed” with the verdict and would appeal to Cas.

A club statement read: “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).”