Chelsea Transfer Ban

In a stunning ruling today that puts Roman Abramovich's modus operandi in jeopardy, FIFA has banned Chelsea from registering any new players for the next two transfer windows. This is the result of being found guilty of inducing French teenager Gael Kakuta to break his contract with Lens in 2007. Though Chelsea seems like they found their machine-like efficiency again this season, this is a big blow because they are a veteran team short of youth. Furthermore, the 2010 summer transfer window expects to be a very busy one as is typically the case after the World Cup and new players have announced themselves on that biggest of stages. Chelsea will certainly appeal the decision and look to have it shortened. There is precedence for that at Chelsea, when a year long transfer ban in 2005 after signing Philippe Mexes from Auxerre was shortened to a single transfer window after appeal. Maybe this time an appeal won't be as successful because Chelsea are now repeat offenders. So much for their interest in Ribery.