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Live from Abu Dhabi Connect the World takes you on a journey across continents, investigating the stories that are changing our world.
Football Ban Sensation
September 3rd, 2009
01:41 PM ET
The news that FIFA has banned Chelsea from signing any new players until 2011 will rock the footballing world. Rarely have we seen punishment like this in a sport where “tapping up” allegations go hand-in-hand with the game.
Has FIFA done the right thing? What sort of precedent will this set? Is this the harshest punishment meted out on a football club? It’s your shout.
Let me know what you think and we’ll use as many of your comments on air on Connect the World at 9p London time
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Chelsea is not the only guilty club so why use them as a scapgoat. Afterall,there was no such previous harsh reproach for such an act.
It's good to see FIFA enforcing the rules, as it will hopefully make the big clubs think twice before they act inappropriately. Having said that, it has become part of football, and if a club is interested in buying a player they can just leak a story to the press and before you know it's all over the back pages.
I am not convinced that it will harm Chelsea, as they have such a huge squad of players already.
As I support Leeds Utd, I have no sympathy!!
Sally
Leeds
UK
good for chelsea
Not surprising. Blatter has always had the intention of bringing down the major British clubs. What better opportunity for him than to make an example of Chelsea. It is unfair – but that is the way Blatter has always operated.
There's something foul here. Have clubs such as AC Milan, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and (especially!) Real Madrid never "induced" players? Is it a coincidence that a british club is being victimized? Or is there some sort of a pattern? Remember McLaren (Formula 1) in 2007? Ferrari and Renault appeared to get away with murder. The Singapore Story ("starring"" Piquet in Renault)) is only just coming out.
It good that FIFA sanctioned the club so that this will serve as a deterrent to other clubs that takes the transfer issues for granted.
This is an outrageous display of double standards. It is common practice in business, sports and life to seek new partnerships and to stop it, by law, punishment or otherwise is plain daft. Platini has an open agenda and dislike towards the Premiership which should in its self be examined and checked as bringing the Game in to Disrepute.
Blatter has always had it in for the English clubs. It is rank jealousy. Ignoring Real Madrid, Barcelona and the Italian Clubs, he has criticised English Clubs for the marvellous foreign players that grace our game. There has been widespread 'tapping' of players. Real Madrid has a long record of doing it. There should be fair play, consistency and proportionality in the punishment. The English Premium League has to be prepared to fight Blatter's autocratic rule. The earlier he goes the better it would be be for FIFA and for the English Clubs. Our leading Premiership Clubs have to stand together on this, as otherwise they will be singled out for punishment by Caesar Blatter.
Someone needs to keep watch for the sake of competitive balance. Too bad MLB doesn't have the courage to stop the Yankee's from doing the same EVERY YEAR.
Why is this the top story on the website? Is there nothing happening in the world today? Shame on CNN
It is indeed unfortunate for FIFA to give such a ruling. How can a Team be banned from signing new players for two years for such an offense? This might be politically motivated and I therefore condemn it in the strongest term.
FIFA needs to reconsider her ruling and mitigate the punishment. The fact is the no time can be stopped from convincing players to sign. The player had his free will to reject or accept the deal. I think the leader of FIFA has something personal against the EPL.
Blue is the colour football is the game .... Take heart Chelsea.
Gilbert from Kenya
Sepp!! there are no weapons of mass destruction being produced at the stamford bridge....... ask texas Bush,ther werent any in iraq... outrageous decision,stinking!!!1
Think is too harsh, even though an action is gonna be taken, they should be considerate somehow.
Elochukwu(Nigeria)
I find it good that FIFA sets an example. I’m afraid club managers have forgotten where the limit in this game for best deal is.
Let’s face – instigating to break the contract it is over the top.
Steffi Germany
Football isn't the sport it once was... way to much money is involved and when monetairy gain starts to outrank sportsmanship it can only end badly.
Best example is the horrible onfield case of grevious bodily harm in Anderlecht – Standard in the Belgian league last week. Intentionaly giving someone a double open leg fracture so your team has a better shot at ending up in the Champions League and cashing in all the bonuses makes this once noble and fun sport loose all it's glamour.
It is about time that FIFA imposed stiffer penalties such as this. What is now needed is consistency on their part. We all know that money can buy you most things in the wrold, unfortunately including trouble this time around for Roman.
@Ezedinma
That is not true there were two precedents from last year where FIFA issued the same penalty. However the clubs appealed the ruling at the CAS and there has not been a final ruling so far
As far am concerned, the ban is absolutely rediculous. There is no club in Europe that isn't guilty of the same offense. Instead FIFA grandstanding on the issue, they should put more rules in place that forces clubs to look inwards instead of poaching youngstars from abroad.
Definately too harsh. Blatter and Platini are targeting English teams as they are considered too powerful. This would not happen to Italian, French and Spanish teams. Shame on FIFA on such a ruling.
Why does FIFA have any right to punish Chelsea in this way? Dont get me wrong, I dont like Chelsea or there way of plucking out players with incredible amounts of cash. But this is ridiculous. If it were the FA or even UEFA I would understand, but if its gonna be FIFA then they might as well go across the globe looking for teams that show similar behavior, if they cant do that then they have no right to enforce.
BLATANT BLATTER BLASTS THE BLUES
I am not surprise that Fifa and Uefa have taken this punishment against Chelsea .Michel Platini and Uefa Prevented Chelsea from winning the Champions league last season. it is unfair.
(Alex Germany)
It happens in all professional sports on a perennial basis, not just football/soccer. The actions by Chelsea have to be objectified. A standard had to be set before it got out of hand. Sepp Blatter is rife with controversy himself, so maybe this is a good direction for FIFA to take.
Andrew, serving in Iraq
Blatter may be on a witch hunt for British clubs, but common misconception is that Chelsea is a major British Club – it probably has the smallest number of supporters in the prem (i would suggest Fulham is bigger), along with a poor footballing history – ie number of honours. Money does not make one a major club, nor does being from London. This issue is not about football, its about money hence the coverage on CNN.
The rule is there to guide the game. For what is the rule that is not followed by punishment if broken? FIFA has only done its job.
Taiwo Danjuma, Switzerland
this might be harsh but it will serve as a big lesson to other clubs. london u.k
I am a committed chelsea fan and am disappointed by the decision in terms of my club.However from the point of view of football I thnk it is the right one.Does this mean manchester city will have a similar problem over the buying of Joleon Lescott from Everton? I hope so......
i think it is harsh on d blues even though im not a fan
there should be rules and regulations for an organized body but a new rule should not be binding on the offence commited b4 the enactment of the law so let the blues off d hook and spell out limit every club can go then u can prosecute any offender.
It's FIFA vs Premier League!
The Football Association should make a stand on behalf of Chelsea. Jealousy is ripe in FIFA corridors about the Premier League. It is a witch hunt!
Countless number of clubs from Africa and South America suffer the same treatment from European clubs yet nothing gets done except for Egyptean goalkeeper case.
countless number of European teams indulge in 'tapping of players" and as a matter of fact it has become a show of might.
I hope FIFA will be fair to all haven gone this direction including the voiceless African teams.
the punishment is appropriate; but i think the fines are too meagre, what with the millions of hard currencies being splashed around in the world of football transfers.
which hunt against english teams?
didn't a top italian team get similar (those lesser) punishment a few years back?
in any case i would imagine that if any club feels aggrieved, they have a right to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA. the likes of arsenal and man united never to that because they are the worst culprits.
This should have happened before so clubs like Real Madrid didn't make players to rebel against the club they were playing and pressure them to sell. Maybe this way the number of shady negotiations and tactics will fall or at least be reduced if they know that a sanction can be upon them.
In my opinon we see this happen in sports all the time, look at the baseball scouts in the dominican republic, they lure kids in. i dont see any harm in a club wanting to get the best talent they can find i dont mind them doing it, i know it is againgst the rules but lets think back for a minute people. was this not similar to what Real Madrid wanted Cristiano Ronaldo to do with Mancherster United or what Jose Morinuo wanted alot of the current chelsea players like Drogba, Carvalho, and Deco to do. the only diffrence is the fact that Chelsea got caught.. If the ban is uphled anyway, it wont really bother chelsea they have a solid squad for the next couple of years
GL CHELSEA
Ha Ha Ha
Bravo FIFA
It is harsh punishment for chelsea, when all club do the same thing all over europe, while must they act this way, they really making me believe now that they football ruling bodies dont like chelsea.
polictics in football this days is unprecedented, that is how Michel Platini and Uefa Prevented Chelsea from winning the Champions league last season. is a pity.
Ridiculous. It was the players idea to join Chelsea, he was not mind controled to join Chelsea. This just further indicates the governing bodies (UEFA and FIFA) hatred towards English clubs, as proven by the Eduardo diving ban and the lack of action taken against the inept referee in Chelseas second leg of the Champions League semifinal against Barcelona.
Hy!
Good news for Abramovich in this financial crisis. But also a funny situation for Chelsea. Several weeks ago, Chelsea obtained from FIFA a very harsh ruling against Adrian Mutu (what about a blog on this topic? I think it's more dramatic). Besides the absurdity of the Mutu case, Chelsea opened the Pandora Box by asking harsh punishment. Now they got themselves one. Congratulations FIFA. In Romania, we have a saying: he who dig a hole for another eventually will fall himself into it.
I believe that ban on Chelsea is a great one!
Football is no longer about the "game." It is about the bottom line – MONEY! Tickets to a game can cost upwards of $100 and in many countries the games are not broadcasted on "free" channels. Instead they are broadcasted on channels that have a subscription fee.
Everything about todays football revolves around money. And Chelsea thought that because they have tons of cash to throw around that they could bend the rules. Shame on Chelsea! They are not in it for the love of the game. They are in it for the money!
Current Chelsea squad is facing much pressure from FIFA and EUFA. Even when other clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona are doing things worst deal than Chelsea, FIFA will not take any drastic action against them.
Am not a chelsea fan but we should call a spade a spade .Fifa is not happy with a RUSSIAN MAN OWING CHELSEA .THEY SHOULD BE FAIR AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY POLITICS .this is how fifa kills football.they should reconsider the future of football and remove politics .this is stupid from fifa
This is so wrong. Why would FIFA bann Chesea. That is so not fair. I am so angry being a chelsea fan. I think another punishment should be given. This is quite harsh.
I think FIFA has done the right job by taking action against such an illegal action.This can only be the start to a new beginning in world club football
This Things happen in football every big team in Europe one way or the other tap up players before signing them, Chelsea are just unlucky with the Ban.
As a Chelsea fan I think this is a very good opportunity for the youth players in Chelsea "Disanto"Michael mancienne"Miroslav Stoch"gael kakuta himself and other youth players should take advantage and make the step to the main team.
Boku 1
Indonesia
It is Manchester United who should be punished! Often there are stories in the press about them "stealing" another young prodigy from somewhere. But do they get reported? No, they pay everyone off and carry on doing the same.
The reason they got singled out Chelsey is pure jealousy. Next is Man City on the list. They ust need to find good enough excuse.
I am not a Chelsea fan and my initial reaction to FIFA action against Chelsea was a thumbs up but on reflection, it is 200% excessive.
Heavens help us if punishment is handed down on sentimentality. In my view, FIFA has used this high-handed punishment to say in no uncertain terms, "We hate Chelsea".
This measure by FIFA is simply a way to kill Chelsea and the consequences is that what they have started with Chelsea, they have to continue with other football clubs.
It is FIFA that is now behaving like the drunken lout.
Chelsea FC may be the first team afected but it does not mean they should not be punnished. This latest decision from fifa would serve as a warning to any club that may try to do same.
This should be a warning to all top football clubs to obey the rules and the next step should be for transfer fees to be regulated, this would, hopefully put an end to the ever spiraling cost of match tickets. WELL DONE FIFA!!!!!!!!!!!
Fifa action on chelsea transfer ban despicts low business drive, Having it in mind that Football is business. Fifa does it likewise to smallerr countries in term of hosting their tournament.
i would like to say that as a chelsea fan i feel we are being given one of the harshest,if not the harshest ban in football history.This same thing goes on in every league in the world.It has even happened this season with some clubs.It happened when man utd got mikel illegally to.Real madrid does it even small clubs do it when acquiring players from lesser leagues in Africa and South America.A warning would have done together with a fine but this is outrageous,and fills like a conspiracy against English teams to surpress their dominance,remember the champions league game against Barcelona.If we get this then the next team to break the law shud get a longer ban from the transfer window.
To make premier league weaker, I think that at last Blatter did it. He has been tried to attack from every direction against the English clubs.
Harsh ? No, if all other European clubs gets same penalty. Blatter has lost his mind, maybe this something where European Union should come out and play second half instead of Blatter and his puppets.
As the saying goes "what goes Around Comes Around" Chelasea fully deserve the ban as they have been known for taping up players in the past ,most notably Ashly Cole from Arsenal in 2004.It is a total disrespect to the clubs affected ,well done FIFA and i hope the ban stands as it will send a message to others that these short of behaviours are unaceptable.
I think the sanction is a long way too harsh on Chelsea. It is becoming increasingly usual for this team to be singled out for such treatment by fifa or UEFA. They have said they would appeal and I think the club should. Its ridiculous to ban a team from the transfer market for two years. Maybe they should have just disband Chelsea.
SHOLA O'NEIL, WARRI. Nigeria
i think is too harsh.fifa should reduce it to 2010 to give equal opportunity to the blues in jan transfer.
Its a shame on FIFA,why should it be Chelsea afterall all major clubs are deeply involved.
Chelsea is always the scapegoat for harsh penalties,its either we are shortchanged with dubious refereeing in UEFA Champions League or get such crazy bans.
The truth is that Chelsea's team and reserve bench can do greatly and better with this ban,we can go on greatly with or without new signing till 2011 and beyond.
Youngsters should have the choice of clubs they want to join,as all teams pay absolutely nothing nurturing them,its a game those that are talented should be allowed to develop in major clubs,its a matter of who offers more as present day soccer is.
FIFA in that case should stick to meagre endorsements and not who pays more.
FIFA is afraid of loosing out in the administration of the game and wants to make big clubs like Chelsea bear that brunt.
It has to be for the good of the players/game
i think FIFA has done the right decision wich will prevent many clubs of breaching values of the game.... but what ever happen i will remain loyal to Chelsea
Omar
Denmark
Am a Chelsea fan and although I think this could be a blessing in disguise in that one or two of the younger player could emerge as world stars. Having said that, I cannot help in thinking that this is victimization, had it been one of the two big Spanish clubs FIFA would not have acted like this.
this look like an attempt to bring down british clubs. Look at the ban impose on drogba and bosignwa, look at the punishment given to arsenals Eduardo. British FA need speak up against the unjust treatment of british clubs.
So what? There is no balance in the world, so why this is a headline on CNN??? don't get it... this is no surprise... I wonder what would happen if FIFA's management were from the same family or from the same school as the management from the Chelsea... same old story would apply. Double morale will go with human kind until the end of our species.
Haha yeah they deserve it...so good ! THEY PAY ALREADY...and Mutu Wont Pay.
Ban? whatever! Chelsea is fall proof. Still the team for tomorrow.With what they've got on ground, ban or no ban,they're not in dire need of freshers.
This ban is ridiculous... things like this have always happened and NOW they realize it?
What will happen to Mexico??? They fixed a game against Trinidad & Tobago, to let Guatemala out of 2006 tournament... where is the fuzz??? This is more of FIFA's double moral issues... its a shame what they have done to this lovely game
Champions League DEPRIVED of Chelsea, Drogba named the baddest player therefor Ban on him,Now illegal or not supposed Player transfer . What next can we see!!!!.
This is too harsh but i tell you one thing, it will and has only spurred the Chelsea club on, they are stronger and more formidable.
It's about time something is done. Whether singling out Chelsea is fair or not, it's time FIFA take serious action.
In future, big clubs should not go round and muscle their way with dollars.
Why is Chelsea appealing? If they were so sporting or law abiding, would they have stolen a player in the first place?
It's a known factor that Platini is far from being a justful president. He is known to dislike Chelsea's owner Abramovitch. I've heard that Platini is also somewhat of an anti-semetic, hence the harsh punishment on Chelsea. No other club that has equally done the same has ever been punished so harshly. When one is president of the system and equally anti-semetic, the results of the punishment confirms every thing.
FIFA should realize that in the current football 'industry' has no problem with bending a few rules. Clamping down on Chelsea like this will keep other clubs at bay. However, the punishment is quite extreme.
Blatter has made no bones about his disgust at the EPL top clubs. So using Chelsea -TRUE BLUES, as scape goat is no surprise. It's the world we live, where sports has been politized & double standard reigns supreme. The likes of AC Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid et al have done worse in the past, but FIFA went blind then.
It's a crazy action, but me think the cabal won't stop at that! Talk about the conspiracy theory!!
Tammy, Nigeria
"AFROSYNISM" WHAT IN THE HELL IS THAT??????
CNN News at approx. 3.40pm as the female broadcaster???????
Also Noted the she herself did not understand the term HE????? used.
Public speakers NEED to be more sensitive and aware of the things they allow to come out of their mouth's.
Especially the OLD ones because things have changed. In case he??????? is not aware of it. Maybe someone one CNN should give HIM??????? a little coaching. THE "AFROSYNISM" or what ever that was when he referenced PRESIDENT OBAMA, he needs to learn some respect. BECAUSE THINGS HAVE CHANGED AND MARTIN LUTHER KINGS DREAM LIVES ON
They are silly, very silly, OUR PRESIDENT is DIFFERNT he is the difference that is what change is all about. What I have seen so far they are all whites that do not want the President to talk to the kids. If I was a kid right now I would consider it an honor to be in the prescence of PRESIDENT OBAMA, or anyother president.
ITS A VERY SILLY SEASON THEY WILL GET OVER IT!!!
YOU GO PRESIDENT OBAMA YOU ARE THE COMMANDER AND CHIEF THEY WILL JUST HAVE TO GET USED TO IT.
Rules are not rules unless they are enforced. If others are also breaking this rule(s) then they too should be penalized as opposed to allowing Chelsea to walk away free. Maybe the problem is Chelsea is one of the'darling' clubs in football, one of the clubs that feel they are above the rules. Clean up the game FIFA and if you have to start with Chelsea, so be it.
AM kenneth from uganda i wanted to post a report on cnn but i failed i wanted to inform the world the chaos in uganda rite now about the dictator museveni.they are firing life bullets to people who are protesting
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