Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

Welcome to the club! Chelsea earn sympathy over transfer ban from non-league Gateshead

Chelsea were given a two-window transfer ban by FIFA on Friday, but the Premier League club can at least console themselves with a sympathetic tweet from non-league Gateshead.

The Blues have been told they cannot register new players for the next two transfer periods and been given a fine of 600,000 Swiss francs due to irregularities with the signings of youngsters, although they intend to appeal.

Given the speculation over the future of under-fire head coach Maurizio Sarri, the concerns of another possible damning defeat to Manchester City in Sunday's Carabao Cup final and anxiety of Eden Hazard's long-term commitment, it was not something Chelsea fans would have been hoping for.