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FIFA Gives Chelsea One Year Ban on Signing Players

Roman Abramovich's millions have transformed Chelsea into one of the major powers of European soccer. The only trophy that has eluded Chelsea in recent years has been the Champions League and they have continued to spend his millions in an effort to take that one home to Stamford Bridge as well.

However, money won't get you everywhere if you get caught breaking the rules. The French club Lens claimed Chelsea was encouraging 18 year old striker Gael Kakuta to break his contract and sign with Chelsea. Lens took its complaint to FIFA, which in an unprecedented decision, found in Lens favor and barred Chelsea from signing any new players, nationally or internationally, in the next two transfer windows. The earliest that Chelsea could sign any new players would be January, 2011.

In addition, Chelsea and Kakuta must pay Lens $1.12 million and Chelsea must pay an additional $186,000 training fee. Kakuta may not play in any games for four months. FIFA is using this case as an example in its efforts to get clubs to honor contracts. I would think that clubs will get the message after this decision, but only if the Court for Arbitration for Sport to which Chelsea is appealing upholds the decision. If the Court overturns it or significantly reduces it, then the clubs will go on their merry way of ignoring contracts and throwing money around like it was mardi gras beads.

Here's a youtube clip of Kakuta to see what all the fuss was about:

Full post as published by Sports Biz on September 04, 2009 (boomark / email).