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Chelsea's Transfer Ban Lifted After Court Of Arbitration For Sport Drops Charge
Chelsea cleared over any wrongdoing in transfer.
Feb 4, 2010 12:11:00 PM
By Alan Dawson
The European Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] has cleared Chelsea over their charges of "inducing" RC Lens midfielder Gael Kakuta, and the lengthy ban the club faced from entering the transfer market has duly been lifted.
CAS overturned the transfer ban on the grounds that Chelsea and French teen Kakuta could not be found to be in breach of contract, as the player's deal with Lens was "not valid".
A statement on the CAS website read: "CAS has issued an award today ratifying the agreement reached by Chelsea, Racing Club de Lens and the French football player Gaël Kakuta, putting an end to this arbitration procedure which also involved FIFA.
"The two clubs and the player have recognized that the contract between the player and RC Lens was not valid.
"Accordingly, the player could not have terminated it prematurely and without just cause and Chelsea cannot therefore be liable for inducing a breach of contract."
It continued: "The sanctions imposed upon Chelsea and the player by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber had to be lifted."
Speculation surrounding whom the club will sign in the summer now their ban has been lifted has been rife, and the media expect Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti to continue to pursue his interest in Pato, the exciting Brazilian striker whom he coached at Milan.
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CAS overturned the transfer ban on the grounds that Chelsea and French teen Kakuta could not be found to be in breach of contract, as the player's deal with Lens was "not valid".
A statement on the CAS website read: "CAS has issued an award today ratifying the agreement reached by Chelsea, Racing Club de Lens and the French football player Gaël Kakuta, putting an end to this arbitration procedure which also involved FIFA.
"The two clubs and the player have recognized that the contract between the player and RC Lens was not valid.
"Accordingly, the player could not have terminated it prematurely and without just cause and Chelsea cannot therefore be liable for inducing a breach of contract."
It continued: "The sanctions imposed upon Chelsea and the player by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber had to be lifted."
A statement by club chairman Bruce Buck released on Chelsea's official website added: "We are pleased to have come to an amicable resolution of the matter and that it has been ratified by CAS and recognized by FIFA.
"It was always our intention to work together with Lens to reach this end, and both clubs have strengthened their relationship as a result of resolving this case to everyone's satisfaction.
"In an act of good faith and with a view to the possibility of future collaboration with Lens, and without recognizing any liability, Chelsea has agreed to pay compensation costs for the training given to the player while at Lens, as mandated by FIFA in its original ruling."
Chelsea were surprisingly quiet during the winter transfer window considering they faced the prospect of an imminent ban in Spring, and despite being linked with a clutch of Europe's premier footballers including Bayern Munich star attacker Franck Ribery, Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero and AC Milan wonderkid Alexandre Pato, the club remained inactive.Speculation surrounding whom the club will sign in the summer now their ban has been lifted has been rife, and the media expect Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti to continue to pursue his interest in Pato, the exciting Brazilian striker whom he coached at Milan.
For the latest news and updates from Goal.com, follow our Twitter account!
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