Chelsea appeal decision expected in next fortnight

CHELSEA are expected to hear within a fortnight if they will be allowed to sign players in January while their appeal over FIFA’s transfer ban is being considered.

The Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) have received Chelsea’s appeal against the ban preventing them registering new players for two transfer windows, a punishment after being found guilty of inducing Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens two years ago.

“Chelsea Football Club and Gael Kakuta have filed appeals at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decision issued by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber on August 27, 2009,” read CAS’ statement.

“Both Chelsea FC and Kakuta have requested that the FIFA decision be stayed pending the outcome of the CAS arbitration. A decision concerning the request for a stay is likely to be issued by the CAS at the beginning of November.”

Being allowed to sign players could be an important factor to Chelsea’s season, particularly with the emergence of Manchester City as genuine contenders to break into the top four of the Barclays Premier League.

No team outside the traditional heavyweights have qualified for the Champions League since Everton in 2005, but Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard said: “I think it is more under threat this year with the emergence of Man City and the money they have got.

“Every year one of the Evertons, Villas or Tottenhams do very well and everyone says it is under threat but normally the four rise to the top.

“I think Man City will be different. If you spend £150 million (€166m) then you should stay the course.”

Should CAS turn down Chelsea’s request, skipper John Terry has been encouraged by the way his team-mates have coped in the Champions League while Didier Drogba has been banned.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men have three wins from as many games in Group D matches following Wednesday’s 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid and, according to Terry, have proved the depth in their squad compared to Liverpool.

“When Stevie (Steven Gerrard) and (Fernando) Torres get injured they seem to be very short in the squad they’ve got,” he said. “We’re very fortunate at Chelsea. Since Roman Abramovich came, we have had a lot of strength in depth in the squad – like with Salomon Kalou scoring twice against Atletico with Didier Drogba being out.”