The world governing body's integrity and compliance unit has made the judgment that a transfer embargo of four windows should be put in place following a three-year investigation into 19 signings made by the club, including 14 that were under the age of 18.

Chelsea broke transfer rules when they signed Burkina Faso striker Traore before his 18th birthday in 2014, and FIFA believe the club should receive the sanction of a £45,000 fine.

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The embargo across four windows would break down into one as a result of signing Traore, with the other three due to 13 other under-18 offences.

Traore playing in a pre-season friendly for Chelsea in July 2013 Image credit: Getty Images

It has been claimed that Chelsea provided misleading information on the exact timing of Traore's purchase, after he was registered in the January transfer window of 2014.

Chelsea sold the player to Ligue 1 club Lyon in June 2017 for £8.8m, but the club paid his mother £155,000 in April 2011 in order to gain the option of first-refusal to sign him.

A further £13,000 was paid to the club chaired by Traore's mother, AJE Bobo-Dioulasso - and FIFA have taken a dim view on the matter.

Traore is now plying his trade in Ligue 1 with Lyon Image credit: Getty Images

According to Mediapart, the French online news outlet that has also been publishing the findings of Football Leaks, FIFA's unit are looking into the practices of other Premier League clubs for similar offences.

Chelsea released a short statement on Wednesday night, saying:

The club has fully co-operated with FIFA and has provided comprehensive evidence demonstrating its compliance with FIFA regulations. We will not comment further.

FIFA's rules prohibit international transfers of players under the age of 18 unless their parents have emigrated for reasons unconnected to football or both player and club are based within 50 km of a national border.

Spanish clubs Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have fallen foul of the rules in the past, with all three serving transfer bans for violations.

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