It does seem excessively harsh - the transfer ban, I mean. The fine doesn't seem astronomical, considering Chelsea's financial means.
Tapping up isn't new to the game. Are there any major contenders in the European (or English) leagues that haven't made shady deals? There is definitely a sense, though, of Chelsea being made an example of. I cannot possibly entertain the hope that Real Madrid, for example, would ever be handed such a punishment. Barcelona? No. Juventus? Never.
I'm curious to see if Chelsea's appeal will be met with sympathy or with outrage and a heavier smackdown.
Tapping up isn't new to the game. Are there any major contenders in the European (or English) leagues that haven't made shady deals? There is definitely a sense, though, of Chelsea being made an example of. I cannot possibly entertain the hope that Real Madrid, for example, would ever be handed such a punishment. Barcelona? No. Juventus? Never.
I'm curious to see if Chelsea's appeal will be met with sympathy or with outrage and a heavier smackdown.
FIFA Ban Chelsea From Signing Players Until 2011
- 03/09/2009 02:00:23 PM
1088 Views
That's fairly insane, even if I'm very much *not* a Chelsea fan.
- 03/09/2009 02:04:41 PM
693 Views
- 03/09/2009 02:04:41 PM
693 Views
The hell?
- 03/09/2009 02:05:32 PM
598 Views
He broke his contract so chelsea
- 03/09/2009 05:32:13 PM
546 Views
I thought this was going to be a joke
- 03/09/2009 02:33:24 PM
506 Views
- 03/09/2009 02:33:24 PM
506 Views
Oi!
- 03/09/2009 02:36:44 PM
548 Views
That would work better
- 03/09/2009 02:50:04 PM
668 Views
How did they manage that?
- 03/09/2009 03:50:59 PM
606 Views
By playing at a similar standard to Liverpool
- 03/09/2009 04:38:10 PM
510 Views
But Liverpool are rubbish this year as well
- 03/09/2009 05:01:09 PM
552 Views
- 03/09/2009 04:38:10 PM
510 Views
Just so that we're all in agreement here...
- 03/09/2009 04:52:58 PM
509 Views
Pfft, you're only 2nd in the league, losers
- 03/09/2009 05:00:36 PM
594 Views
- 03/09/2009 05:00:36 PM
594 Views
But Liverpool are rubbish this year as well
- 03/09/2009 05:01:09 PM
552 Views
On a completely random note..
- 03/09/2009 05:30:43 PM
548 Views
Why stop at the time and date?
- 03/09/2009 05:33:26 PM
551 Views
And, more relevantly considering the thread, football.
- 03/09/2009 05:38:20 PM
582 Views
Yes, the sky is the limit!
- 03/09/2009 05:40:25 PM
554 Views
Maybe as a fall-back job once he loses the PM spot?
*NM*
- 03/09/2009 05:44:49 PM
232 Views
*NM*
- 03/09/2009 05:44:49 PM
232 Views
Aww, poor old Gordon.
- 03/09/2009 05:52:06 PM
552 Views
He's the Sunderland of politics
- 03/09/2009 05:55:10 PM
689 Views
You should copywrite that last post.
- 03/09/2009 05:57:23 PM
610 Views
Done!
- 03/09/2009 06:07:21 PM
520 Views
I am not sure if it is possible to be "substandard" when compared to the regulars.
- 03/09/2009 06:26:13 PM
645 Views
Don't be mean to Russell and Frankie
- 03/09/2009 06:49:59 PM
581 Views
- 03/09/2009 06:49:59 PM
581 Views
I'll grant you Frankie is alright. Russel is a bit embarassing to watch.
- 03/09/2009 06:58:27 PM
612 Views
Take that back, sir.
- 03/09/2009 06:00:04 PM
600 Views
Fine, fine. I'm sorry and I take it back
- 03/09/2009 06:08:47 PM
609 Views
Alright, I accept.
- 03/09/2009 06:13:59 PM
547 Views
That's too kind!
- 03/09/2009 06:19:38 PM
520 Views
It took them two years to make this decision??
- 03/09/2009 02:57:55 PM
598 Views
I guess it seems a little harsh.
- 03/09/2009 03:21:41 PM
638 Views
They got a young man to break a legally binding contract
- 03/09/2009 05:38:21 PM
623 Views
Exactly, this is not the same as being found guilty of tapping a player up
- 04/09/2009 10:15:50 AM
583 Views
Meh...
- 03/09/2009 07:41:20 PM
484 Views
Except other teams do already do the same thing
- 03/09/2009 07:46:50 PM
572 Views
Who's FIFA? *NM*
- 04/09/2009 04:32:56 AM
383 Views
the world governing of football
- 04/09/2009 11:08:20 AM
605 Views

*NM*