Huge blow: FIFA slaps Chelsea with two-transfer window ban

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Fevereiro 22, 2019 Por Ali M.

Assuntos: Chelsea, Manchester City, FIFA, English League Cup

If the Blues fail to win their appeal or delay the embargo, they will not be able to sign new players until the summer of 2020.

In what will be a huge blow for the club, Chelsea has been hit with a transfer ban by FIFA after being found guilty of breaking the organization's rules. The regulations that the London giant have breached are those relating to the dealings with foreign players under the age of 18.

After a lengthy three-year investigation into the signings of over a dozen players, world football's governing body has found the Blues guilty of 29 breaches of Article 19. While this is the most serious violation, the Premier League outfit has failed to observe other mandates.

One of the main causes for this ruling is said to be the signing of Bertrand Traore in 2013. As a result, the London giant will not be able to sign a player until the summer of 2020.

Chelsea have been given a two-transfer window ban for breaching rules around the transfer of minors. Spurs have just completed their two window ban and have been fine.....I know, it wasn't a ban.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 22, 2019

The Stamford Bridge side has also been fined around $600,000 and has been given 90 days to "regularise the situation of the minor players concerned", which could mean selling those who were deemed to be signed against FIFA rules. Similarly, the FA has also been slapped with a $509,000 penalization.

Chelsea can lodge an appeal to FIFA over this ban and then the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which could delay this embargo until after the upcoming summer window. If the Carabao Cup finalist cannot overturn the ruling, then this will be the next best thing, as it will give them the opportunity to make the required signings to strengthen their struggling squad for next season.

Maurizio Sarri has faced tons of criticism for the team's poor displays as of late and will likely turn to the market to erect these issues if he remains in charge until then, that is. Furthermore, with Eden Hazard tipped to leave at the end of this campaign, being unable to sign a worthy replacement will be costly.

Chelsea has since confirmed they will appeal this decision

OFFICIAL: Chelsea confirm that they will submit an appeal to FIFA against their transfer ban as they "acted in accordance with the relevant regulations." pic.twitter.com/431JK4kttX
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) February 22, 2019

This latest unfolding will be an unwanted distraction for the club ahead of their crucial clash with Man City. Sarri's men are gearing up for Sunday's showdown with Man City in the League Cup final, a game which could be the Blues' only shot at silverware in 2018/19 besides the Europa League.