chelsea handed a transfer ban

[Noucamp99]

We do tend to do things by the book. Maybe we wrote that book....

[blah_united]

we should take advantage of this ban in the summer

[Noucamp99]

Well, yes, but citeh will still be around with their deep pockets and short arms! Remember, if United said they'd found a decent tea lady down the street, citeh would be in like a flash to offer he millions to sign for them!

[Noucamp99]

We should update this, as the Court of Arbitration in Sport have lifted the ban until a hearing can be set. However, it seems mixed messages are coming out of the bridge, as Ancelotti says he doesn't need players and Terry (our penalty hero) says they should strengthen for the African Cup of Nations). Anyway, to update:

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti will not be rushed into buying any new players in January even though the Court of Arbitration for Sport has suspended Chelsea's transfer ban, reports The Guardian.

The Blues will lose Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Mikel John Obi to the African Cup of Nations in January but Ancelotti is confident the squad can cope without them.

"Now, thanks to this decision we have time to look for new players," said Ancelotti.

"But we don't want to take a decision in this moment. At the moment, I'm very happy with the squad, these players, and it's not necessary at the moment to take new players. I know we will lose four in January but if we maintain the players' fitness we can do a good period also without the African players.

"Now our focus is on the game on Sunday. We can buy players in January, but now we have other questions to answer. It's not important now what we can do in January."

Source: Tribalfootball.com

I'm not sure where this leaves FIFA? If they are meant to be the controlling body in football, then what has CAS got to do with anything? does that mean that now, anyone can go to appeal and have their conviction in football quashed upon appeal, regardless of guilt? I suppose innocent until proven guilty, but didn't FIFA already find them guilty?