Chelsea lodge appeal against transfer embargo

Chelsea have lodged their appeal against a transfer embargo imposed for breaching rules on signing young players.

Fifa announced last month that Chelsea will be banned from signing new players in the next two transfer windows for breaking rules on international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18.

Fifa said it found breaches in 29 cases, including Chelsea’s pursuit of Bertrand Traore.

Chelsea have also been fined 600,000 Swiss francs (around £460,000), while Football Association has been fined 510,000 Swiss francs (around £391,000).

Chelsea responded by announcing they would appeal against the decision and said the club “categorically refutes the findings of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee.”

That appeal has now been formally submitted.

Traore, who has signed moved to French club Lyon, signed his first professional contract at Chelsea in 2013 at the age of 18 but was not registered until January the following.

Traore was found to have made 25 appearances for the Blues at different levels, including the first team, despite not being registered by the FA.

Chelsea admitted they paid his mother £155,000, as well as a further £13,000 to the club she chaired – AJE Bobo-Dioulasso – in April 2011 to allow them first refusal on his signing.

It has been alleged that deal was for four and a half years, despite the limit for under-18s being three years.

It is also claimed Chelsea paid for Traore to attend the Whitgift School in Surrey at a cost of £20,000 per year.

In a statement in November, Chelsea said it had “fully co-operated with Fifa” and had “provided comprehensive evidence demonstrating its compliance with the applicable Fifa regulations”.