Chelsea appeal transfer ban

Chelsea have asked for a suspension of FIFA's transfer ban which could allow them to sign players during the January transfer window.

The Blues have lodged an appeal against FIFA's ban, which prevents them from registering any new players during the next two transfer windows, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and the CAS have now confirmed that Chelsea have asked for FIFA's ruling to be suspended until the outcome of the appeal is known.

A statement on the official CAS website read: "Chelsea Football Club and Gael Kakuta have filed appeals at the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the decision issued by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber on 27 August 2009."

The statement continued: "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."

Chelsea were banned from signing any new players until 2011 after being found guilty of inducing Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens two years ago.

Kakuta, who was also banned from playing for four months, is also appealing against FIFA's punishment.

Chelsea have so far declined to comment.