FIFA have banned Chelsea from registering any new players until January 2011, meaning they will not be able to recruit any new signings for two transfer windows, after being found guilty of inducing French teenager Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens.

The 18-year-old winger joined Chelsea from the Ligue 1 side in 2007, after which the French club lodged a complaint with world football's governing body.

FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) finally passed their decision on the contractual dispute on Thursday and handed down a hefty ban and substantial fine to the Blues.

A statement from FIFA read: "The DRC found that the player had indeed breached a contract signed with the French club. Equally, the DRC deemed it to be established that the English club induced the player to such a breach

"As a result the player was condemned to pay compensation in the amount of €780,000, for which the club, Chelsea, are jointly and severally liable.

"A restriction of four months on his eligibility to play in official matches has been imposed on Kakuta. Chelsea are banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the two next entire and consecutive registration periods following the notification of the present decision.

"Furthermore, the club, Chelsea, have to pay Lens training compensation in the amount of €130,000."

Under FIFA regulations Chelsea now have 10 days in which to lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Given the severity of the punishment, it is almost certain the club will take that course of action.

Back in July 2005 Italian club Roma were similarly banned from signing players for a period of one year over the controversial signing of defender Philippe Mexes from French club Auxerre. However, CAS later ordered FIFA to cut its ban to cover a single transfer window.

Chelsea have been in trouble before over their transfer dealings and in June 2005 were found guilty of 'tapping-up' Arsenal defender Ashley Cole by the Premier League. The Blues were fined £300,000, Cole was fined £100,000 and then manager Jose Mourinho was fined £200,000.

Kakuta, a skilful left-winger, is viewed as Chelsea's most promising young player. He ended his first season as top scorer in the youth side and was voted the academy's player of the year. His second season was brought to an abrupt end in February by a double fracture of his ankle.