Chelsea banned from buying new players until 2011

Yesterday Fifa announced that Chelsea will be unable to operate in the transfer market for the next two windows as a result of a complaint from French side Lens regarding the signing of Gael Kakuta two years ago. This effectively means Chelsea will not be able to sign any new talent until January 2011.

Chelsea have also been hit with a £130,000 fine but this is nothing compared to the potential financial implications of their punishment. If the blues can't match their big spending premiership rivals in the transfer market they may be unable to match them on the pitch and could ultimately lose their champion's league or even premiership place. The fortunes of Leeds United, who have plummeted into league one obscurity since (for very different reasons) losing their championship league place, tell a cautionary tale to all.

Having to rock up to the grounds of the likes of Exeter and Swindon on a weekly basis is however some way off for Chelsea fans. Chelsea is planning to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).and given the harshness of the sanctions, I believe will be successful in at least reducing the ban. The same punishment was handed out to Roma and was reduced on appeal to one transfer window. Given the strength of Chelsea's squad, they should do well this season even without the ability to do shopping in the January sales.

Blues will however still be worried of injuries and illness. For the rest of us, coming days after Eduardo's ban for diving and Platini's statements on clubs in debt, should we be worried that these international football bodies are flexing their muscles a little too much?