Chelsea have been hit with a transfer ban for the next two windows by FIFA.
The club will not be able to register any new players until the summer of 2020 after breaching regulations surrounding the signing of 29 minors.
FIFA handed the Blues a £460,000 fine, while the FA have also been fined £390,000 after being found guilty of breaking rules in connection with minors.
Chelsea ‘categorically refute’ FIFA’s findings and will appeal the ban, which could result in a delay, allowing the club to spend this summer.
The world football governing body said in a statement: “Chelsea was found to have breached article 19 of the Regulations in the case of 29 minor players and to have committed several other infringements relating to registration requirements for players.
“The club also breached article 18bis of the Regulations in connection with two agreements it concluded concerning minors and which allowed it to influence other clubs in transfer-related matters.
“The disciplinary committee sanctioned Chelsea with a ban on registering new players at both national and international level for the next two complete and consecutive registration periods.
“This ban applies to the club as a whole – with the exception of the women’s and futsal teams – and does not prevent the release of players.”
Atletico Madrid were given a two year transfer ban over similar offences in July 2016, while Real Madrid had their ban halved to one year on appeal in December 2016.
FIFA rules prevent clubs from bringing in foreign players under the age of 18 unless their parents have emigrated for reasons not connected to football or both player and club are located within 50km of a national border.
It is understood one of the key cases in FIFA’s long-running investigation against Chelsea was the signing of Burkino Faso forward Bertrand Traore.
Traore, who now plays for Lyon, officially joined the Blues in January 2014 but played in a number of youth team games when he was 16.
Meanwhile, an FA spokesperson said: “The FA notes the decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee published today.
“The FA has cooperated fully with FIFA’s investigations, although we have raised some concerns with FIFA regarding its disciplinary processes.
“The FA intends to appeal the decision. We will however continue to work with FIFA and Chelsea in a constructive manner to address the issues which are raised by this case.”