By: Francis Joseph

Chelsea football club has stated that it will take their appeal against a two-window transfer ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after it was rejected by FIFA.

Football’s world governing body, (FIFA) on Wednesday upheld the ban they handed to Chelsea in February after an investigation into the club’s signing of foreign U18 players.

FIFA rules state no player under 18 is allowed to move to a club in a different country unless their parents are moving there for non-footballing reasons, or unless they are aged 16-18 and moving within the European Economic Area.

The club maintained its innocence and stated they will exercise the option to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne to see if the ruling can be overturned or frozen.

In an official statement the club said “Chelsea FC has today received the decision of the FIFA Appeal Committee,” said Chelsea in a statement on Wednesday afternoon. “The club is very disappointed that the transfer ban of two consecutive registration periods was not overturned.

“Chelsea FC categorically refutes the findings of the FIFA Appeal Committee. It acted in accordance with the relevant regulations and will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).”

The ban means Chelsea are unable to sign players for the next two transfer windows.