Chelsea have been hit with a transfer embargo by Fifa, banning them for registering players for the two consecutive windows over breaching regulations regarding minors.
Why have Fifa punished Chelsea?
The Blues have been banned from registering players for two consecutive transfer windows for 29 incidences of breaching article 19, which relates to the transfer of players aged under 18.
Chelsea also twice breached regulations relating to third-party influence, article 18bis.
"The FIFA disciplinary committee has sanctioned the English club Chelsea FC and the Football Association for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18," FIFA's statement read.
"Chelsea was found to have breached art. 19 of the Regulations in the case of twenty-nine (29) minor players and to have committed several other infringements relating to registration requirements for players.
"The club also breached art. 18bis of the Regulations in connection with two agreements it concluded concerning minors and which allowed it to influence other clubs in transfer-related matters."
What punishment has Chelsea received?
Chelsea have been banned from registering new players at both national and international level for the next two and consecutive consecutive transfer windows, and fined 600,000 Swiss francs (over £460,000).
Fifa confirmed that the ban applied to the club as a whole, with the exception of the women's and fustal teams.
What punishment has the FA received?
The FA has been fined 510,000 Swiss francs (over £390,000) for breaching the rules in connection with minors.
Can Chelsea still sign players if they appeal?
Prior instances of similar infractions involving other clubs have seen the clubs involved appeal against the penalties, delaying the implementation of a registration ban and allowing them to sign players as usual.
Both Madrid clubs - Atletico and Real - and Barcelona have all been punished by Fifa regarding the transfer of foreign players under the age of 18, and were hit with transfer bans.
How will the ban affect Chelsea's squad?
Christian Pulisic's summer move is not under threat given that he has already signed a deal with Chelsea, but the ban will almost certainly have a negative impact on the club's ability to compete with their Premier League rivals.
The ban may be something of a double-edged sword though - both Eden Hazard and Callum Hudson-Odoi were looking increasingly likely to leave the club at the end of the season, though Chelsea may be forced to keep those forwards and risk losing them for nothing in 2020 if they cannot replace them in the 2019 summer window.
