Chelsea to appeal after being hit with transfer embargo
Chelsea are to appeal after being hit with a transfer embargo for breaching rules on signing young players.
Fifa have announced 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 say it found breaches in 29 cases.
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).
In a statement, the Chelsea confirmed they will appeal against the decision and said the club “categorically refutes the findings of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee.”
The statement added: “The club wishes to emphasise that it respects the important work undertaken by Fifa in relation to the protection of minors and has fully cooperated with Fifa throughout its investigation.
“Initially, Chelsea FC was charged under Articles 19.1 and 19.3 in relation to 92 players.
“We welcome the fact that Fifa has accepted that there was no breach in relation to 63 of these players, but the club is extremely disappointed that Fifa has not accepted the club’s submissions in relation to the remaining 29 players.
“Chelsea FC acted in accordance with the relevant regulations and will shortly be submitting its appeal to Fifa.”
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”.
