![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/2.48092366.jpg\")
Chelsea\u2019s transfer ban has been lifted, freeing up boss Frank Lampard to make signings in the January window.<\/p>\nChelsea\u2019s transfer ban has been lifted, freeing up boss Frank Lampard to make signings in the January window.<\/p>\n
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has halved Chelsea\u2019s two-window FIFA transfer ban and their financial sanction, after the west London club\u2019s appeal.<\/p>\n
The Blues were hit with the FIFA transfer embargo last season on issues relating to the signing of overseas youth players.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sole arbitrator found that CFC did violate Articles 19.1 (related to the international transfer of minors) and 19.3 (related to the first registration of minors), but for a significantly smaller number of players (about one third of the violations found by FIFA),\u201d read a CAS statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition, the violations of other RSTP rules were found to be less serious than those attributed to Chelsea FC by FIFA.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccordingly, the Sole Arbitrator reduced the sanction to one single transfer ban (which Chelsea FC already served during the 2019 summer registration period), and halved the monetary sanction.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chelsea will now be able to sign front line recruits in January, with a new left-back a priority for manager Lampard.<\/p>\n
The Blues can also look at a replacement for Eden Hazard, who left for Real Madrid in the summer on a deal that could rise as high as \u00a3150million.<\/p>\n
Chelsea were hit with the initial transfer ban in April after it was alleged Bertrand Traore had played for the club for several years before being registered in 2014.<\/p>\n
Documents published by FIFA later claimed the Blues had breached the governing body\u2019s regulations 150 times.<\/p>\n
Chelsea always strongly contested the findings however, initially issuing a statement saying the club \u201ccategorically refutes\u201d the claims.<\/p>\n
But now while CAS has partially upheld the FIFA ruling, the Blues are at least free to bring in new recruits next month.<\/p>\n
Swiss-based CAS confirmed it had \u201cmodified\u201d FIFA\u2019s sanctions following Chelsea\u2019s appeal, halving the length of the transfer ban and also cutting the club\u2019s fine in two.<\/p>\n
The CAS statement read: \u201cThe following sanctions have now been imposed by the CAS: Chelsea is banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally for one entire registration period, which the club already served during the 2019 summer registration period.<\/p>\n
\u201cChelsea is ordered to pay a fine to FIFA of the amount of 300,000 Swiss Francs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe warning and the reprimand are confirmed.\u201d<\/p>\n