Chelsea to begin Kakuta appeal process
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea will lodge their intention to appeal against FIFA's transfer ban with the Court of Arbitration for Sport today.
The English Premier League club have been banned from signing any new players for the next two transfer windows after FIFA found them guilty of inducing teenager Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens two years ago.
But the Blues are hopeful they can get the punishment reduced or overturned by appealing through the Lausanne-based court.
Chelsea are expected to request a 'fast-track' hearing when they lodge their full appeal with CAS.
CAS confirmed to Press Association Sport today that the Barclays Premier League club has yet to appeal.
However, CAS insist that while Chelsea can ask for the hearing to be expedited, the other party in the case has to agree to fast-track it.
Once the club has notified CAS of its intention to appeal, which must be done tomorrow, they have a further 10 days to lodge the papers with them.
A one-window ban is unlikely to hurt Chelsea too much as they have carried out little business in January during previous seasons.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Hilario is expecting to make way for Czech Republic international Petr Cech against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Hilario was impressive when he deputised for the suspended Cech in the 2-0 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge prior to the international break.
Hilario, who signed a new contract with the Blues in the summer, knows that Cech will want his shirt back and has no complaints.
"I am pleased to be here," said Hilario. "I love this club, I like very much the people around and I love London.
"My family is really settled, my kids too and I want to continue here, I want to do good work."
Hilario made a stoppage-time save to deny Steven Gerrard a goal in their victory over the Reds and he was congratulated by Cech as he came off the pitch.
"He is my friend and it has been an absolute pleasure to work every day with Petr," added Hilario.
"I feel proud that when I am playing, I have his support and it helps me a lot, not only when I am playing but because every single training (session) we are together and we challenge ourselves.
"He is an absolutely fantastic goalkeeper and I learn a lot with him."
Midfielder Michael Ballack is expected to be fit to face Villa after recovering from an ankle injury sustained on international duty with Germany.
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