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Chelsea's transfer ban lifted
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Chelsea's Gael Kakuta is part of the club's development program. (Getty Images: stringer, file photo)
The transfer ban imposed on Chelsea by FIFA has been lifted after the Premier League club reached agreement with French club Racing Lens over Gael Kakuta, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said overnight.
Chelsea was barred by the world governing body in September from signing new players until 2011 after being found guilty of inducing Kakuta, 18, to break his contract with Lens in 2007.
The club appealed and was cleared to sign new players in January's transfer window pending a final decision by CAS.
"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.
"The CAS has noted that, in the agreement, the two clubs and the player have recognised 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 FC Chelsea cannot therefore be liable for inducing a breach of contract," it added in a statement.
"As a consequence, in light of these new circumstances, the sanctions imposed upon Chelsea FC and the player by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber had to be lifted."
Training compensation
Chelsea has decided, however, that it will still give Lens 130,000 euros ($206,253) in compensation towards the costs of developing the player, which the west London club had been ordered to pay by FIFA in September.
"In an act of good faith and with a view to the possibility of future collaboration with Lens, and without recognising 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 chairman Bruce Buck said.
"We are pleased to have come to an amicable resolution of the matter and that it has been ratified by CAS and recognised by FIFA," he added on the club's website.
"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."
Ligue 1 club Lens said in a statement it was pleased with the agreement "financially and technically".
-Reuters
