Chelsea ignored ban warning over Gaël Kakuta says former Lens chief

04 September 2009 09:34
That's according to François Collado, the now-retired former general manager at Lens, who met Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and Sporting Director Frank Arnesen to discuss the sale of the player. [LNB]Collado set out Lens' terms, but Chelsea immediately rejected the proposed fee and lodged a counter-offer Collado describes as "ridiculous". [LNB] Related ArticlesChelsea fuming over banWho is Ga?Kakuta?Chelsea hit with transfer ban'Big Four' attract flak in global talent pursuit'English clubs had this coming'Sport on televisionCallado insists Chelsea mistakenly believed that football's governing body could do nothing to stop them signing the player because his pre-contract agreement with Lens was not legally binding. [LNB]"The contract was rubber-stamped by the French league and French football federation," Collado said. [LNB]"But Chelsea took him and played in a tournament with all their reserves, even without international clearance. [LNB]"When I met with Kenyon and Arnesen at Chelsea I took the contract. I told Kenyon, 'You're risking a fine and a transfer ban'. I explained the Fifa rules to him. [LNB]"Kenyon spoke with Arnesen and he said they were sure of their intentions. We said this is what we want and they said no way. [LNB]"They proposed a ridiculous fee. I said I'll leave you and if you're sure then I'll go to Fifa and we'll see if you're not sanctioned. They said there would be no need for another meeting."[LNB]Chelsea reportedly offered £870,000, but Callado said. "It was considerably less than that. They were convinced they were right: Chelsea didn't imagine Lens could stop a club like Chelsea from recruiting players. [LNB]"But that ban is only the application of the laws we told Chelsea very well would come."[LNB] 

Source: Telegraph