Manchester City could get hit with a transfer ban after emerged FIFA are investigating their recruitment of young overseas players.
Premier League giants and City’s opponents in the Carabao Cup final Chelsea cannot sign anyone until 2020 after breaching the rules on 29 occasions.
The Blues have launched an appeal against the punishment which has also seen them fined £460,000 and the future of a number of players are uncertain.
English football’s governing body the Football Association have also fined the Premier League £390,000 for failing to police the system.
FIFA are looking at the registration of youngsters in an attempt to protect them from exploitation and trafficking.
The use of the international transfer certificate has been central to the breaches with players allegedly participating in organised matches without such documentation.
And a new wave of investigations into City’s dealings was triggered when African proteges George Davies said to a Danish publication they had represented the Citizens before the reached the age of 18.
The football authorities have been looking into the reigning Premier League champions’ conduct for a number of years.
European giants Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have all been hit by transfer bans for breaching similar rules in the past, however, all three clubs were able to acquire new signings after a delay in the appeal process.
Chelsea may take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in an attempt to extend the process further.
The Blues had success in the past when the CAS ruled in their favour regarding Gael Kakuta’s move to Stamford Bridge.
It’s not clear whether City have broken any rules or how many cases are being investigated.
The club have previously been banned from signing youth players from rival clubs and fined £30,000 are being found guilty of tapping-up two schoolboys.