Chelsea have been banned from signing players in the next two transfer windows for breaching rules in relation to youth players, Fifa has announced. The ban, until the end of January 2020, does not prevent the release of players and will not apply to their women's and futsal teams.

It is understood that the transfer ban was as a result of 27 breaches of Fifa rules, with others considered administrative or procedural. The case came to light after claims Burkina Faso forward Bertrand Traore - who moved to London from his homeland - played for the Blues for several years before being registered in 2014.

Chelsea can sign players in January after having their Fifa transfer ban reduced following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Premier League side were given a two-window ban by Fifa in February for breaching rules on signing young players. Cas halved the ban to one window, which was served during the summer.