Chelsea transfer ban put on hold

Chelsea's ban on buying any new players has been put on hold while it's decided if the club did break any rules.

Earlier in 2009 Chelsea were banned from buying any players until 2011 because football officials said the club broke some rules on transfers.

Fifa, which runs world football, said Chelsea didn't obey the rules when they signed a young French player.

Fifa said Chelsea persuaded Gael Kakuta to break a contract so he was free to change clubs, which isn't allowed.

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Chelsea said it was going to appeal against that punishment, and now a court has said until that appeal is heard Chelsea are free to sign new stars.

That doesn't mean the club can start signing straight away, but when the transfer window opens on 1 January 2010 Chelsea will be allowed to bring in some fresh faces.

Appeal to be heard

A special sports court called the Court of Arbitration for Sport has made the decision to suspend the transfer ban.

And since it's likely that it will take a while to hear Chelsea's appeal, they may be able to sign players until the case is over.