Chelsea transfer ban lifted in Kakuta deal - CAS
Player's four-month FIFA suspension removed
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said yesterday that Chelsea and French club Lens had settled their dispute over French player Gael Kakuta, lifting sanctions on the London club.
World football's governing body FIFA had ruled last September that Kakuta's 2007 move from Lens to Stamford Bridge was illegal following a complaint by the French side, and imposed a 16-month transfer ban on Chelsea.
But, following an appeal by Chelsea, the arbitrators announced that the two sides and FIFA had agreed that a contract tying the player to Lens was not valid and the London side could therefore not have been liable for inducing a breach of contract.
"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," the CAS added in a statement.
The Lausanne-based court had temporarily lifted the ban for last month's international transfer window while it considered Chelsea's appeal against the FIFA ruling.
Kakuta, then a Lens player, was only 15 years old when he signed up with the English club.
Lens felt that Chelsea had used their wealth to "steal" a young player that they had nurtured, and had complained to FIFA.
"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 said.
Details of the settlement would remain confidential, it added.
FIFA's four-month suspension on Kakuta was also removed.
Reacting to the news, 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.
"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."
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay added: "Naturally, we are pleased Chelsea has been cleared of any wrongdoing and that the matter is now closed."