English Premier League side Chelsea have been banned by world football's governing body FIFA from signing any new squad members until 2011, after they were found to have "induced" a player to breach his contract in a transfer from Lens to the London-based side in 2007.
The punishment comes after the French team complained to FIFA that Chelsea had acted improperly over the transfer of 18-year-old left-winger Gael Kakuta.
The complaint was referred to the body's Disciplinary Resolution Chamber (DRC) who have decided to impose a ban on any further player recruitment by last season's Champions League semifinalists.
A statement on FIFA's official Web site read, “The DRC found that the player had indeed breached a contract signed with the French club.
"Equally, the DRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced the player to such a breach. As a result the player was condemned to pay compensation in the amount of €780,000 ($1.1 million), for which the club, Chelsea, are jointly and severally liable, and sporting sanctions were imposed on both the player and Chelsea in accordance with art. 17 par. 3 and 4 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
Kakuta, who was voted the academy's player of the year in his first 12 months with Chelsea, received a personal suspension of four months as a result of the ruling.
"Chelsea are banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the two next entire and consecutive registration periods following the notification of the present decision.
"Furthermore, the club, Chelsea, have to pay Lens training compensation in the amount of €130,000 ($185,000)," the statement added.
Chelsea do have the option of appeal with the Lausanne-based Court of Abitration for Sport (CAS).
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