English power Chelsea has been banned from signing new players until 2011. FIFA delivered the ban after has ruling that Chelsea unfairly lured 18-year-old striker Gael Kakuta to break his contract with French club Lens and join the English club. FIFA “established that the English club induced the player to such a breach.”
Chelsea cannot take part in the next two transfer windows, January 2010 and the next summer offseason, meaning the club cannot sign a new player until January 2011. Additionally, the ruling body ordered Kakuta and Chelsea to pay Lens $1.12 million. Chelsea must pay Lens an additional $186,000 as a training fee. Also, the French player has been barred from playing any games worldwide for four months.
The ban comes as part of FIFA’s attempt to uphold contracts. Chelsea can appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.