FIFA hands Chelsea two-window transfer ban

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL (AA) - English Premier Football League club Chelsea were banned from signing players in the next two transfer seasons for breaching regulations over the transfer of minors, FIFA said Friday.

"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the English club Chelsea FC and The Football Association for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18," FIFA said in a statement.

The club was also fined nearly $600,000.

FIFA also gave the English club a period of 90 days to correct the situation about their minor players.

"Chelsea was found to have breached Art. 19 of the Regulations in the case of twenty-nine (29) minor players and to have committed several other infringements relating to registration requirements for players," FIFA said.

The Football Association (FA), English football's governing body, was fined about $510,000.

FIFA also gave a period of six months to FA to address the situation concerning the international transfer and first registration of minors.

"Chelsea FC categorically refutes the findings of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and will, therefore, be appealing the decision," the club said in a statement on Friday following the FIFA decision.