Source: Daily_Mail
Chelsea hit with transfer ban until 2011 following shock Gael Kakuta ruling
Chelsea have sensationally been banned from signing any more players until 2011.[LNB] FIFA have suspended the London giants from registering any new players in the next two transfer windows after finding them guilty of inducing French teenager Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens.[LNB] Controversy: Gael Kakuta's move has landed Chelsea in trouble[LNB]Key points of the Chelsea punishmentGael Kakuta joined Chelsea from Lens two years ago after which the French club lodged a complaint with FIFA, seeking compensation for breach of contract and asking for sporting sanctions against the London side.FIFA's dispute resolution chamber (DRC) have announced Chelsea were guilty of inducing Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens and that the player had breached his contract.As a result Chelsea have been banned from registering any new players for the next two transfer windows - effectively until January 2011 - by FIFA.Chelsea have also been ordered to pay Lens compensation amounting to 130,000 euros (£113,995).Kakuta has been banned from playing in all matches for four months and ordered to pay 780,000 euros (£680,311) in compensation.Chelsea have the right to appeal against the decision and take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.Chelsea and Kakuta have been ordered to pay £682,000 in compensation, while the club must also pay Lens £113,000.[LNB]This means they are unable to buy any more players until the transferwindow in January 2011.[LNB]Chelsea will appeal against the punishments and have criticised FIFA's action ban as 'totallydisproportionate and extraordinary'.[LNB]A statement from the club read: 'Chelsea will mount the strongest appealpossible following the decision of FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber over Gael Kakuta.[LNB]'The sanctions are without precedent to this level and totally disproportionate to the alleged offence and the financial penalty imposed. We cannot comment further until we receive the full written rationale for this extraordinarily arbitrary decision.' [LNB]It is a massive blow to the west London side,who have an ageing squad and who are expected to lose Didier Drogba,Michael Essien, John Mikel Obi and Salomon Kalou to Africa Cup ofNations duty that starts in Angola on January 10 next year.[LNB]VIDEO: Chelsea hit by ban...[LNB]Kakuta, 18, joined Chelsea from Lens two years ago after which the French club lodged a complaint with FIFA. He has also been handed a four-month ban.[LNB]Now FIFA's dispute resolutionchamber (DRC) has ruled that Kakuta breached his contract with Lens andthat Chelsea induced him to do so.[LNB] Troubles ahead: Nicolas Anelka (right) will not be expecting new team-mates[LNB][LNB] HAVE YOUR SAY... Can Chelsea continue as a force in the Premier League without any new players until 2011? FIFA have banned Chelsea from registering any new players in the next two transfer windows. Have FIFA over-reacted? Can Chelsea cope with their current squad until 2011? Is the title race over for them now? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK A FIFA statement read: 'On theoccasion of its last meeting held on 27 August 2009, the DisputeResolution Chamber (DRC) was called to pass a decision in a contractualdispute opposing the French club Lens to the French player Gael Kakutaand the English club Chelsea.[LNB]'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.[LNB]'The DRC found that the player hadindeed breached a contract signed with the French club. Equally, theDRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced theplayer to such a breach.[LNB]'Asa result the player was condemned to pay compensation in the amount of€780,000 (£682,000), for which the club, Chelsea, are jointly andseverally liable, and sporting sanctions were imposed on both theplayer and Chelsea in accordance with art. 17 par. 3 and 4 of theRegulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.[LNB]'A restriction of four months on hiseligibility to play in official matches has been imposed on Kakuta.Chelsea are banned from registering any new players, either nationallyor internationally, for the two next entire and consecutiveregistration periods following the notification of the present decision.[LNB] Nightmare: Manager Carlo Ancelotti and owner Roman Abramovich[LNB]'Furthermore, the club, Chelsea, have to pay Lens training compensation in the amount of €130,000 (£113,500).'[LNB]A FIFA spokesman added: 'This decision confirms our aim to ensure contractual stability. It is an important ruling for football in general.'[LNB]Given the severity of the punishment, it is almost certain the club will appeal. Kakuta, a skilful left-winger, is viewed as Chelsea's most promising young player. [LNB]He ended his first season as top scorer in the youth side and was voted the academy's player of the year. His second season was brought to an abrupt end in February by a double fracture of his ankle.[LNB] Gael Kakuta: Is the controversial Chelsea youngster really worth it?Joe Cole will be next star to sign new deal at Chelsea, says KenyonChelsea boss Ancelotti hails Cole as the 'best left-back in the world'CHELSEA FC
