Chelsea 'Inducement' Charge Over Gael Kakuta Cleared By CAS; Transfer Ban Lifted

The European Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] has cleared Chelsea
over their charges of "inducing" Racing Club de Lens' midfielder Gael
Kakuta, and the lengthy ban the club faced from entering the transfer
market has duly been lifted.

CAS overturned the transfer ban on
the grounds that Chelsea and French teen Kakuta could not be found to
be in breach of contract, as the player's deal with Lens was "not
valid".

A CAS statement read: "CAS has issued an award today
ratifying the agreement reached by Chelsea, Racing Club de Lens and the
French football player Gaël Kakuta, putting an end to this arbitration
procedure which also involved FIFA.

"The two clubs and the
player have recognised that the contract between the player and RC Lens
was not valid. Accordingly, the player could not have terminated it
prematurely and without just cause and Chelsea cannot therefore be
liable for inducing a breach of contract."

It continued: "The sanctions imposed upon Chelsea and the player by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber had to be lifted."
A statement by club chairman Bruce Buck released on Chelsea's
official website added: "We are pleased to have come to an amicable
resolution of the matter and that it has been ratified by CAS and
recognised by FIFA.
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"It was always our intention to work together with Lens to reach
this end, and both clubs have strengthened their relationship as a
result of resolving this case to everyone's satisfaction.
"In an act of good faith and with a view to the possibility of
future collaboration with Lens, and without recognising any liability,
Chelsea has agreed to pay compensation costs for the training given to
the player while at Lens, as mandated by FIFA in its original ruling."
Chelsea were surprisingly quiet during the winter transfer window
considering they faced the prospect of an imminent ban in Spring, and
despite being linked with a clutch of Europe's premier footballers
including Bayern Munich star attacker Franck Ribery, Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero and AC Milan wonderkid Alexandre Pato, the club remained inactive.

Speculation
surrounding whom the club will sign in the summer now their ban has
been lifted has been rife, and the media expect Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti to continue to pursue his interest in Pato, the exciting Brazilian striker whom he coached at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.