Blues' transfer ban lifted

CAS clears Chelsea over Kakuta saga

Last updated: 4th February 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Blues' transfer ban lifted

Kakuta: Chelsea cleared

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Chelsea have been cleared of any wrongdoing over the Gael Kakuta affair and are no longer banned from signing players.

The Blues were hit with an 18-month transfer embargo in September after Fifa ruled that they were guilty of inducing Kakuta, then 16, to break a contract with Lens back in 2007.

Chelsea appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and it was decided that the ban would be suspended, allowing the club to bolster their squad in January.

CAS has now ruled that Chelsea did not break any rules over the signing of Kakuta and the embargo has been lifted entirely.

A statement from CAS read: "The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has issued an award today ratifying the agreement reached by Chelsea FC, Racing Club de Lens and the French football player Gael Kakuta, putting an end to this arbitration procedure which also involved Fifa.

"The CAS has noted that, in the agreement, the two clubs and the player have recognised that the contract between the player and RC Lens was not valid.

"Accordingly, the player could not have terminated it prematurely and without just cause and FC Chelsea cannot therefore be liable for inducing a breach of contract.

"As a consequence, in light of these new circumstances, the sanctions imposed upon Chelsea FC and the player by the Fifa Dispute Resolution Chamber had to be lifted."

Chelsea delight

If CAS had decided that Chelsea were guilty of inducing Kakuta they would not have been able to bring in players for the next two transfer windows.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti nevertheless insisted he was happy with the squad available to him and opted not to sign anyone before Monday's deadline.

He will be delighted to have the option to sign players when the window reopens in the summer and Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has explained that he was always confident the dispute would be resolved in such a way.

"We are pleased to have come to an amicable resolution of the matter and that it has been ratified by CAS and recognised by Fifa," Buck told the club's official website.

"It was always our intention to work together with Lens to reach this end, and both clubs have strengthened their relationship as a result of resolving this case to everyone's satisfaction.

"In an act of good faith and with a view to the possibility of future collaboration with Lens, and without recognising any liability, Chelsea has agreed to pay compensation costs for the training given to the player while at Lens, as mandated by Fifa in its original ruling."

Chelsea FC chief executive Ron Gourlay added: "Naturally, we are pleased Chelsea has been cleared of any wrongdoing and that the matter is now closed."

Comments (21)

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Shaun Abbott (Chelsea fan) says...

Great decision by the CAS. Just hope we see more 1st team action from this potential premiership superstar.

Posted 21:04 4th February 2010

Sean Glynn (Manchester United fan) says...

I'm not surprised by this at all. They always miraculously seem to get bans lifted it's not the first time Chelsea have paid someone off. Maybe the Glaziers should think about digging deep to pay the FA or whoever so that Rio can play in the carling cup final.

Posted 21:04 4th February 2010

David Burke says...

I don'y feel that any other decision was ever going to be reached. Chelsea are a now a big player so they join the long list of teams who have bullied their way through the smaller clubs over the years, joining the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and most of the other top teams in Europe. Soon it will be Manchester City doing the same thing and we'll all hate them instead. Welcome to the rotten future of football.

Posted 20:47 4th February 2010

Louise Kenrick (Chelsea fan) says...

All I can say is common sense have prevailed and Bah Humbug to the Arsenal supporter- get over it and stop you're whining....Arsenal are no saints!

Posted 20:39 4th February 2010

Daniel King (Chelsea fan) says...

Common sense prevails, it's just a shame its held kakuta back from playing for a few months. Other wise he could have more 1st team games under his belt.

Posted 20:16 4th February 2010

Paul Wafula (Chelsea fan) says...

Big up all chelsea family! And all Haters..... I just cant stop breathing in your rage and frustrations with a smile on my face. And for the record... this ban was lifted because we are a BIG club period! No Chelsea No Football!

Posted 20:11 4th February 2010

Jordan Caine (Chelsea fan) says...

Fantastic news for chelsea and gael kakuta its a relief the boy can finally put this behind him and continue with his training and growth. No offence to the 2 guys who commented here cause from my opinion ya'll are just bitter but that doesnt matter your opinion really doesnt count.

Posted 20:09 4th February 2010

Kevin Winyard says...

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! Some people are so slow on the uptake here (especially Gooner fans - understandably). The contract that Lens had with Kakuta was INVALID (worthless to you Gooners) and so he did not actually have a contract with Lens at all. This means that no valid contract existed and so could not be broken. Does not matter about power, money or anything. The contract he had with Lens was not legal..............end of. By the way, very similar to how Man Ure got away with it.

Posted 19:58 4th February 2010

Rafay Hussain (Chelsea fan) says...

What a rejuvenating news this has been!! I told you guys it was just a hoax, no reality whatsoever. It was a conspiracy to bring bad name to EPL and Chelsea and EPL have survived:)

Posted 19:47 4th February 2010

Kane Ayton (Manchester United fan) says...

That was timed perfectly wasn't it? It's good news that there was no 'tapping up' going on but they'll have to wait until the summer to do any business regardless. United for their FOURTH consecutive title!

Posted 19:40 4th February 2010

Alan Ward (Leeds United fan) says...

You can bet your bottom dollar that there has been some "under the table" dealing to come to this result, if not the decision could have come whilst the trasfer markewt was open!!

Posted 19:23 4th February 2010

David Tennant (Middlesbrough fan) says...

once more the big teams get away scott free!!

Posted 19:14 4th February 2010

Alexander Duncan (Chelsea fan) says...

Fantastic news for chelsea. Had a good feeling about this when carlo annouced that he wouldn't bring in any players in january. He would've gone crazy if he thought the appeal would get turned down. This is obviously great news for Kakuta as well. He must feel 20 kg lighter. Anyway, can't wait to see more of the young lad.

Posted 18:56 4th February 2010

Jason Powers (Arsenal fan) says...

What a joke! Any other team and the ban would of stayed, but because its CHELSEA it just had to be lifted. Always the same with this team, always getting away scot free.

Posted 18:52 4th February 2010

Rich Porter (Chelsea fan) says...

Justice is done in the end! CHELSEA CHELSEA!!

Posted 18:43 4th February 2010

Ben Thompson (Chelsea fan) says...

Fantastic news!! That's one less thing to worry about as a Chelsea fan!"

Posted 18:40 4th February 2010

Michael Stevens (Arsenal fan) says...

This is not a pop at Chelsea,but what a total stitch up.Money talks.So Chelsea came to a agreement with Lens about 2 months ago.They are paying to Lens money for his training.You are having a laugh.This is what is totally wrong with thr premiership.Since 1992 over 30 clubs have gone into admin.Does anyone care

Posted 18:13 4th February 2010

David Hammond (Chelsea fan) says...

I had faith from start that it would be lifted and now it has Ancelotti will be able to strenghen the squad even more come summer

Posted 18:11 4th February 2010

Dave Rees (Chelsea fan) says...

Well, there you go....... Not such a nasty football club after all. A court has proved Chelsea did absolutely nothing wrong. Would be great to search out all the great and good in football who condemned the Blues in the press and ask them for comments now... Shame on the media...Shame on Uefa... This was fallout/punishment in the wake of the CL semi against Barcelona.. That`s another story,,,,,,,

Posted 18:03 4th February 2010

David Patching (Chelsea fan) says...

I do hope this page will now be full of people saying "sorry", the same way it quickly filled with people having a go at Chelsea. BUT no dobt some still will.

Posted 18:00 4th February 2010
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