FIFA launches investigation into Chelsea's recruitment of youth players over potential breach of regulations

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FIFA have revealed they have launched an investigation into Chelsea's recruitment of youth players.

The game's world governing body confirmed to Sportsmail on Tuesday that they have launched an inquiry into Chelsea's conduct involving signing foreign players under the age 18. 

The Premier League champions were subject to sanctions from the world governing body previously concerning Gael Kakuta's transfer from Lens in 2007, which were subsequently appealed successfully to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Chelsea are being investigated by FIFA for breaching their regulations around youth players

 They were banned from signing players in two windows in 2009 due to Gael Kakuta's move

'We can confirm that an investigation is ongoing,' a FIFA statement said. 

'However please note that we cannot provide any details concerning the matters under investigation. We have no further comment.'

FIFA rules prohibit the international transfer of players under the age of 18 unless their parents have emigrated for reasons not connected to football or both the player and club are based within 50 kilometres of a national border.

The only other exception is for transfers within either the European Union or European Economic Area (EEA), where the minimum age is 16.

Atletico Madrid are under a transfer ban but it's believed Chelsea's case is not as bad

FIFA's disciplinary chambers also investigated Bertrand Traore's transfer to the club last year

In those cases, clubs must still ensure that the player continues his education and studies for an alternative career, as well as making sure he has a high living standard.

A Chelsea spokesman told said that the club complies with all FIFA statutes and regulations when recruiting players.

Chelsea have been investigated twice previously over their signing of minors.

The West London club were banned from signing players for two transfer windows in 2009, a penalty they had overturned on appeal in 2010, over Gael Kakuta's 2007 move from Lens to Stamford Bridge.

They were also investigated over the transfer of Bertrand Traore, the Burkina Faso international who was signed after his 18th birthday but had appeared in an under-18 match in 2011 while still 16.