Chelsea cleared over Kakuta contract row
Chelsea cleared over Gael Kakuta contract row
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Thursday, 04, Feb 2010 05:08
By Alistair Potter.
Chelsea have had their 18-month transfer embargo lifted with immediate effect after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in their favour over the Gael Kakuta affair.
The CAS ruled the contract between Kakuta and his former club Lens was not a valid and binding agreement, therefore the sanctions against the club were lifted by Fifa.
The Blues were initially banned from registering any new players for two full transfer windows last September, when football's world governing body ruled the London club had acted improperly in signing the French teenager.
However, in a statement today the CAS revealed that sanction - and Kakuta's four-month playing ban - had been lifted.
"The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has issued an award today ratifying the agreement reached by Chelsea FC, Racing Club de Lens and the French football player Gael Kakuta, putting an end to this arbitration procedure which also involved Fifa," the statement reads.
"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."
Chelsea appealed against the original decision, meaning any punishment which they may have been due to serve was postponed.
Despite being free to sign players, the club endured a quiet January and failed to bring in any new players.
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said he is "pleased to have come to an amicable resolution of the matter".
"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," he said.
"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."
Today's ruling is a bright spot in an otherwise difficult week at Stamford Bridge following the revelations of captain John Terry's extra-marital affair with former team-mate Wayne Bridge's ex-girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel.