The Premier League club had hoped to have the ban overturned but their appeal has been denied. They will still be able to sign youth players and recall loanees.
FIFA have thrown out Chelsea’s appeal against a ban on signing new players spanning the next two transfer windows, throwing doubt on Eden Hazard’s proposed move to Real Madrid and Maurizio Sarri’s summer plans into disarray.
The Premier League club have a noted army of loan players scattered around Europe and will be able to recall them this summer.
Meanwhile, the proposed departure of Eden Hazard to Real Madrid now seems in doubt with Sarri likely to try and hold on to the majority of his squad this summer. Chelsea will be allowed to release players but cannot register any new signings until June 2020.
Chelsea have the option of appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne against the FIFA decision.