Chelsea face FIFA ban for fielding ineligible player against Arsenal

Chelsea are staring at a FIFA ban for fielding an ineligible player against Arsenal, according to reports on Daily Metro.

The world football’s governing body has launched investigations into The Blues after they reportedly fielding Burkina Faso striker Bertrand Traore in an Under 18 match against Arsenal in 2011, yet he had not been registered to feature in the match.

FIFA was made aware of the incident after Traore’s name was spotted on the Arsenal website when they published the squads for the match online.

International regulations state that players under 18 years cannot make overseas transfers unless they meet set criteria which Traore, who was 16 years then, did not.

Chelsea’s decision to play Traore was based on the assumption that the Under 18 Premier League was non-competitive, which has since been disapproved.

If Chelsea are found guilty, they are likely to face a transfer embargo similar to that which Barcelona recently faced.

Chelsea have declined to comment on the matter.

Barcelona was banned from buying players for two transfer windows starting 2014 for flouting FIFA rules on the signing of Under 18 players.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were also recently banned for two transfer windows starting the end of the 2015/16 season over similar claims. The two clubs have vowed to appeal the decision.

 By @benjaminwafula