Chelsea transfer ban: Is Christian Pulisic deal off? Will Eden Hazard now STAY?

Posted Saturday, February 23, 2019 by Dailystar.co.uk

Chelsea transfer ban: Is Christian Pulisic deal off? Will Eden Hazard now STAY?
What does the ban mean for Chelsea? (Pic: Getty)

CHELSEA have been banned from registering players for two transfer windows after breaching FIFA rules regarding the transfer of minors - but what does this mean for Eden Hazard and Christian Pulisic?

The Blues have been sanctioned after breaching rules regarding registering players under the age of 18.

Chelsea have been found to have breached article 19 of FIFA's regulations after 29 minor players were registered incorrectly or illegally.

The west London club will no doubt appeal the punishment, which at present will see the club banned from registering new players until the summer of 2020.

But what does this mean for the likes of Hazard and Pulisic?

The former has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in recent years.

Chelsea have been reluctant to sell and that may now be the case again, being that they cannot sign a big-money replacement in the coming months or next winter.

FIFA's ban does not stop Chelsea selling players, meaning Real Madrid or any other European suitor can still launch a bid for Hazard.

As for Pulisic, despite playing for Borussia Dortmund until the end of the season, the American has already been signed by Chelsea.

The club splashed out on the 18-year-old in January, before loaning him back to the Bundesliga until the summer.

Pulisic's transfer has already been confirmed, meaning his move to London will not be affected.

Statement in full

In a statement released by FIFA, the governing body said: "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."