Chelsea banned from signing players for two tranfer windows

[Andy Fox]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5535793,00.html


Fifa have banned Chelsea from registering any new players in the next two transfer windows.

The world's governing body have handed down the punishment after French clubs Lens made an official complaint over Chelsea's signing of their young
player Gael Kakuta in 2007.

Fifa's Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) has now found in Lens' favour and ruled that Chelsea are 'jointly and severally liable'.

As such Chelsea have been banned from signing players over the next two transfer windows, which will mean they will not be able to bring a player into the club until 2011.

As well as the ban Chelsea have been fined £680,000 and will have to pay Lens £113,000 in compensation.
Kakuta, a regular in Chelsea's reserve side, has also been banned from playing for the next four months.


Think this deserves it's own thread. Close it if not.

[Rams Hotel]

Well I am a bit hesistant to espouse wisdom on this topic when I know little about the individual case, but I am glad FIFA are properly punishing sides. Assuming Chelsea are guilty here, it seems like a fair punishment. You can't simply fine a club bankrolled by one of the world's richest men, so you have to hurt them where it really hurts.

Next up, how about West Ham for the Tevez affair?

[fernb8]

I really find the timing ironic

why wait until the window closes?

oh wait its FIFA.

[Andy Fox]

Kakuta: DRC decision reached
(FIFA.com) Thursday 3 September 2009

On the occasion of its last meeting held on 27 August 2009, the Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) was called to pass a decision in a contractual dispute opposing the French club Lens to the French player Gael Kakuta and the English club Chelsea.

The French club had lodged a claim with FIFA seeking compensation for breach of contract from the player and requesting also sporting sanctions to be imposed on the player and the English club for breach of contract and inducement to breach of contract respectively.

The DRC found that the player had indeed breached a contract signed with the French club. Equally, the DRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced the player to such a breach.

As a result the player was condemned to pay compensation in the amount of EUR 780,000, for which the club, Chelsea, are jointly and severally liable, and sporting sanctions were imposed on both the player and Chelsea in accordance with art. 17 par. 3 and 4 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

A restriction of four months on his eligibility to play in official matches has been imposed on Kakuta. Chelsea are banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the two next entire and consecutive registration periods following the notification of the present decision. Furthermore, the club, Chelsea, have to pay Lens training compensation in the amount of EUR 130,000.

Official statement from the DRC

- Kakuta fined
- Kakuta banned for 4 months

[fernb8]

most likely on appeal

Katuka banned for 2 months

no signings in Jan.

[fernb8]

so if FIFA are going to retroactively go back in time for these cases

are we going to be the only club singled out?

[SteelShot]

Well at least we haven't been purchasing like mad these past few transfer windows so it won't hurt us much. I think I hear Mutu laughing at us :p

Hopefully we can reduce it on appeal.

[SteelShot]

The shittiest part of all this is the fact that it happened over a player who isn't even in the first team squad.

[Ben7021]

Hope to see a lot of other clubs punished for this as well then.

[fernb8]

I wonder what would happen if a player wanted to sign for Chelsea regardless?

Surely FIFA could not block a player who wanted to sign for the club on a free based on the European laws.

Either way I expect a response from the club soon, quite frankly suprised they have not responded yet as one would hope that FIFA notified them of the ruling prior to its release.

[Rman3349]

This is such garbage!! Where is the precedent for this type of ruling? And can someone explain to me what it is we are guilty of exactly?

[fernb8]

Hope to see a lot of other clubs punished for this as well then.

personally it doesnt even sound like FIFA have gathered all the facts

it sounds like they have listened to what Lens have said and then here you go...

[fernb8]

This is such garbage!! Where is the precedent for this type of ruling? And can someone explain to me what it is we are guilty of exactly?

we are being accused of, and found guilty of "forcing Katuka to break his contract with Lens" and not providing compensation.

[Pateau]

This is such garbage!! Where is the precedent for this type of ruling? And can someone explain to me what it is we are guilty of exactly?

Chelsea were found guilty of inducing Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens.

As for precedent, Roma received the exact same punishment for the Mexes transfer, so precedent is there.

[Kazuma]

Wonder why Arse or United have never been punished for this? Ah well. Silly stuff really.

[Kazuma]

Chelsea were found guilty of inducing Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens.

As for precedent, Roma received the exact same punishment for the Mexes transfer, so precedent is there.

Roma managed to appeal the ban and were banned from the market for a window instead of a year like planned.

[Rman3349]

Well then I suppose my next question is why the f*ck did we do it? God I hate Kenyon so much. You know he was the one behind this. If he doesn't get fired for this I will lose all respect for Roman

[Pateau]

I'm sure Chelsea will appeal the ban to the CAS too.

[Kazuma]

Well then I suppose my next question is why the f*ck did we do it? God I hate Kenyon so much. You know he was the one behind this. If he doesn't get fired for this I will lose all respect for Roman

What does Kenyon have to do with this? He isn't even in charge of youth players.

[Andy Fox]

Haha Kenyon at fault. Any excuse mate.

Everyone does it, not that it's right.