New ban blow for Chelsea as FIFA prevent a recall of loan players

12 September 2009 21:51
Can't return: Michael Mancienne will stay at Wolves[LNB]Chelsea stayed top of the Premier League with a last-gasp win atStoke but their long-term title bid was dealt another blow by a newFIFA ban. [LNB]Goals in stoppage-time at the end of each half from Didier Drogbaand Florent Malouda maintained Chelsea's 100 per cent record hoursafter they were told they would not be able to recall some of theiron-loan players to make up for their transfer ban. [LNB]Manager Carlo Ancelotti had hoped to mitigate the effects of theembargo, which Chelsea are appealing against, by bringing back playerslike Franco di Santo, Michael Mancienne and Scott Sinclair. [LNB]But FIFA have now banned Chelsea from recalling England Under-21centrehalf Mancienne and striker Sinclair, as the original agreementswere for a season's loan and cannot be revoked. [LNB]Di Santo will be allowed to return as his loan was only untilJanuary. With Chelsea also facing the prospect of losing Drogba,Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou to the Africa Cup ofNations for up to a month in the new year, Ancelotti faces a mid-winterselection crisis. [LNB]  Keep your hands off Salomon Kalou, Chelsea warn Jose MourinhoChelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti confident Blues will win appeal over FIFA transfer banStoke v CHELSEA: Deco injured as the Blues head to StokeCHELSEA FC: All the latest news from across the webA FIFA spokesman said: 'If it's a season-long loan, it cannot be terminated in order to bring back players.' [LNB]Both Mancienne and Sinclair were described as seasonlong loan deals when they moved in August to Wolves and Wigan respectively. [LNB]Chelsea could apply to FIFA for an emergency release of the players, which is usually applied when injuries leave a squad short. [LNB]However, given that the club are only in their current difficulties because they have been found guilty of breaking FIFA rules, it is highly unlikely the governing body would sanction the players' return. [LNB]Chelsea have been banned from signing any new players until 2011 by FIFA, after being found guilty of inducing teenage star Gael Kakuta, now 18, to break his contract with Lens when he joined Chelsea's academy two year ago. [LNB]The ban includes any loan signings as well, ruling out a further option to bolster the squad. [LNB]Chelsea will receive the full reasoning behind the decision from FIFA this week and will then appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. [LNB]Their only hope of strengthening their squad would either be a quick decision in their favour from the CAS or to delay proceeding until February, in which case they could sign players in January, as the punishment is pending until the case is resolved. [LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People:Carlo Ancelotti, Michael Essien, Didier DrogbaPlaces:United Kingdom

Source: Daily_Mail