Chelsea have been handed a two-transfer window ban by Fifa for breaching rules around the transfer of minors.
The Blues will not be able to sign players until the summer transfer window of 2020.
The club were found to be guilty of breaching article 19 of the regulations in the case of 29 minor players and to have committed several other infringements relating to registration requirements for players.
An additional fine of £460,000 has been given to the Londoners with 90 days allowed to regularise the situation of the minor players involved.
The FA have also been fined £390,000 after being found guilty of “breaching the [transfer] rules in connection with minors,” though they have announced their intention to appeal.
A statement from Fifa read: “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.
“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.
“The Disciplinary Committee sanctioned Chelsea with a ban on registering new players at both national and international level for the next two (2) complete and consecutive registration periods.
“This ban applies to the club as a whole - with the exception of the women’s and futsal teams - and does not prevent the release of players.
“Additionally, the club was fined CHF 600,000 and given a period of 90 days to regularise the situation of the minor players concerned.
The decisions issued by the Disciplinary Committee were announced to the club today and can be contested before the Fifa Appeal Committee or CAS.
The ban will not affect the arrival of Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund, who was signed for £60 million in January but loaned back to the German club.
Whilst Gonzalo Higuain was also signed last month on an 18-month loan. An appeal could mean the Blues conduct business this summer if the appeal is not heard before the opening of the window.
Chelsea will be able to sign players but they will not be able to play until the start of the 2020/21 season. The move places even more importance on the immediate future of Maurizio Sarri.
With the Italian under pressure, his dismissal would make the search for a replacement even harder without the ability to sign players and potentially no Champions League football once again.
Chelsea face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on Sunday at Wembley.
