Chelsea are following developments at Manchester City with interest after the Premier League champions avoided a transfer ban for breaching rules on under-18 signings, according to Sky Sports.
City were fined £315,000 on Tuesday, but were not given a transfer ban after FIFA revealed their admission of responsibility was a factor in determining their punishment.
Chelsea meanwhile were handed a one-year transfer ban and fined more than £460,000 in February, and are currently in the process of challenging their sanction to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The club have declined to comment, but it is understood they are monitoring City's situation closely as their appeal against signing new players continues.
FIFA officials clarified to Sky Sports News why City were fined less and avoided a ban for breaching the same article as Chelsea, stating the circumstances were different.
"In its decision on Manchester City, FIFA's Disciplinary Committee took into consideration all specific circumstances of the case as well as the club's cooperation in clarifying the relevant facts," a FIFA spokesperson told Sky Sports News.
"It is important to stress that the specific circumstances of this case differ from previous cases involving breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18."
City said the breaches arose after a "misinterpretation of the regulations in question", adding in a statement that they have been fully compliant since December 2016.
City, who are still currently under investigations from FIFA and UEFA with regards to financial fair play, were found to have breached article 19 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
FIFA's statement added: "The protection of minors is a key element in FIFA's overall regulatory framework relating to the transfer of players, and the effective enforcement of these rules is paramount, as has also been confirmed on various occasions by the Court of Arbitration for Sport."
iodine
88
1. It was Chelsea’s second offence and they breached the rules 29 times. They pleaded not guilty. 2. City are first time offenders with only 2 breaches. Pleaded guilty and received £300k fine. Hope this helps!
development
63
Good thing is that We have been forced to dig into our loan army. Better news is that we should win the appeal at CAS. But FIFA is a rubbish organisation
Bidders
56
FIFA “Chelsea, you breached the rules.” Chelsea “No We didn’t.” FIFA “Ok you’re banned for 2 transfer windows. Man City, you also breached the rules.” Man City “Yes, we did.” FIFA “Brilliant, you’re fined a bit of pocket money then.”
Nesaiknruy_Legend
44
With all due Respect, it would not be Chelsea if every football sector didnt hate us.... I've gotten used to all the bias now. Look at how the media always hound our club with their witch hunts. It's not farfetched for FIFA to do the same after we switched to become a self sufficient club and told them to get lost. Stop the payments and they harass you like this...
Nesaiknruy_Legend
30
Idk why people want us to keep spending big money constantly. We can nurture players like Mount, Tammy, James, Odoi, Loftus, Zouma, Christensen, Tomori etc. these players are born champions having won trophies constantly at youth level. Why overlook them for a ready made article while selling them off only to have them come and haunt us the way Salah and De Bruyne do....