Chelsea ban lifted by Court of Arbitration
Blues free to make signings after Court of Arbitration for Sport lift ban imposed for Gael Kakuta signing
Chelsea have had their two-window transfer ban lifted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, it emerged on Thursday afternoon.
The ban was implemented on the Blues after their controversial acquisition of Lens youngster Gael Kakuta. The player joined in Chelsea 2007, breaching his contract in the process.
Lens submitted a complaint to the Court of Arbitration for Sport leading to the ban, but the issue was resolved yesterday leaving Chelsea free to make purchases in the summer.
Chelsea, Lens and the player all were in accordance that there was no valid contract between the three parties. Therefore the player was unable to “terminate his contract” without a “just cause.”
“The Court of Arbitration for Sport has issued an award today ratifying the agreement reached by Chelsea FC, Racing Club de Lens and the French football player Gael Kakuta,” CAS said in a statement.
Chelsea chairman, Bruce Buck welcomed the decision saying: “It was always our intention to work together with Lens to reach this end. Both clubs have strengthened their relationship as a result of resolving this case to everyone’s satisfaction.”
In the original FIFA ruling, Chelsea were ordered to pay €130,000 in compensation while the player himself was banned for four months and ordered to pay a fine of €780,000. These sanctions were suspended while the CAS heard the case.
Chelsea agreed to pay compensation for the costs of training the player while at Lens with the figure expected to be around €980,000.
