Chelsea have confirmed they are set to appeal a transfer ban imposed on them by Fifa for breaking rules concerning the signing of minors.
The Blues were handed a ban for two transfer windows which would prevent them from signing any players until the summer window of 2020.
Fifa found the Stamford Bridge club guilty of breaching article 19 of the regulations in the case of 29 minor players, as well as a number of other infringements relating to requirements for registering players.
An additional fine of £460,000 has been given to the Londoners, who were also given three months to rectify the irregularities surrounding the minor players involved.
Chelsea believe they have grounds for appeal, however, after a full audit of over 100 transfers found just a few breaches that they feel do not constitute serious offences.
That the FA have also been fined £390,000 after being found guilty of “breaching the [transfer] rules in connection with minors" strengthens their case, the west London club believes.
A club statement read: "Chelsea FC has today received a decision from the Fifa Disciplinary Committee concerning alleged breaches of the Fifa Regulations that relate to the international transfer of players under the age of 18. The decision imposes a transfer ban of two consecutive registration periods and a fine of 600k Swiss francs. Chelsea FC categorically refutes the findings of the Fifa Disciplinary Committee and will therefore be appealing the decision.
"The club wishes to emphasise that it respects the important work undertaken by Fifa in relation to the protection of minors and has fully cooperated with Fifa throughout its investigation. Initially, Chelsea FC was charged under Articles 19.1 and 19.3 in relation to 92 players.
"We welcome the fact that Fifa has accepted that there was no breach in relation to 63 of these players, but the club is extremely disappointed that FIFA has not accepted the club’s submissions in relation to the remaining 29 players. Chelsea FC acted in accordance with the relevant regulations and will shortly be submitting its appeal to Fifa."
