Chelsea 'astonished' at FIFA decision not to suspend transfer ban pending completion of appe

Chelsea are reeling and 'astonished' from the decision from FIFA ot to suspend it's two international transfer windows while it appeals the charges that they broke the rules over the signing of foreign under-18 players.

The Blues deny the charges.

The west London outfit said: "Chelsea Football Club is astonished by the FIFA Appeal Committee’s decision not to suspend its sanction pending completion of the appeal process.

The club acted in accordance with the relevant regulations and has already notified FIFA of its intention to appeal against the Disciplinary Committee’s decision and sanction. As a matter of procedural fairness and equality of treatment, and Swiss law, the club’s right to an appeal process must be afforded, before any irremediable sanction takes effect. So far as the club is aware, in all previous cases where a registration ban has been imposed by FIFA, a decision has also been made to suspend the sanction until the appeal process has been completed. In this case, Chelsea considers that it is being treated inconsistently in comparison with other European clubs. We will consider our next steps once we have received the written reasons for this decision from FIFA. The club notes the Appeal Committee’s statement that it has the right to appeal to CAS. In the meantime the club will continue to fully co-operate with the proceedings.