Chelsea appeal against transfer ban

LONDON, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Premier League club Chelsea have appealed against the transfer ban which they were recently handed by FIFA following an investigation into the signing of foreign players for the club's youth system.

Chelsea was banned to sign any players during the next two transfer windows, effectively meaning there will be no new faces at the club (apart from returning loan players) until the summer of 2020.

Chelsea were also fined 600,000 Swiss Francs (600,000 US dollars) after FIFA found 29 breaches of regulations in their investigation the signing of Under-18 players by the club.

It is not yet certain whether the ban will be temporarily lifted while the appeal process is under way, with FIFA commenting that "any decision on the sanction remaining in place during the appeal process is to be taken by the chairman of the FIFA Appeal Committee."

However, if the transfer ban is lifted during Chelsea'a appeal, then it would possibly allow the London based outfit to make signings this summer, which would in turn make it easier for the club to sign a new coach if (as expected) they dispense with the services of under-pressure Maurizio Sarri. Enditem