Chelsea have received angry and bemused responses from their fans after sharing a post on Twitter about summer transfer targets, despite FIFA banning them from making signings.
The Blues were banned from registering new players and handed a fine of 600,000 Swiss francs (over £460,000) last week following an investigation into the recruitment of 29 players aged under 18.
The London club is appealing against the decision and on Wednesday tweeted a link to their website on transfer targets for summer 2019, with the caption: "Who would you want to sign in the summer?"
Previous examples indicate it is possible Chelsea could still buy players this summer.
Barcelona were handed a ban for two transfer windows in 2014, also over the signing of players under the age of 18, but an appeal by the club pushed the punishment back to the following year which allowed them to sign Luis Suarez from Liverpool.
Chelsea's tweet was deleted within a matter of hours after it was met with anger from Chelsea fans.
"Are you serious," commented user @LavCFC, while another said the situation is "out of control".
Are you serious... — Lav (@LavCFC) February 27, 2019 Smh. This is out of control. — Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) February 27, 2019 STOP THIS
— spencer (@washinmasheen) February 27, 2019
Other Chelsea fans appeared to be amused by the post, with @CFCDaily stating that the official page is now their "favourite parody account".
Favourite Parody account tbh pic.twitter.com/Jcw53vR2zM — CFC Daily (@CFCDaily) February 27, 2019
The post was also responded to by rival clubs, with Zenit St Petersburg commending the post as banter.
The Russian club commented: "#TopBants".
— FC Zenit in English🌊 (@fczenit_en) February 27, 2019
FIFA on Friday announced Chelsea had been sanctioned for contravening article 19, which governs the international transfers of under-18s.
FIFA regulations prohibit the international transfer of players under 18, unless in specific circumstances not related to football. Players aged 16 to 18 can move within the European Union.
The Football Association was fined 510,000 Swiss francs (over £390,000) for breaching the rules in connection with minors and also plans to contest the sanction.
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