Bengaluru, February 22: Football's global governing body -- FIFA -- has banned Premier League club Chelsea from making any signings in the next two consecutive transfer windows following a breach of regulations regarding the registration of young players.

Chelsea have been handed the punishment for 29 incidences of breaching article 19, which relates to the transfer of players aged under 18.

"The Fifa disciplinary committee has sanctioned the English club Chelsea FC and The Football Association for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18," FIFA announced on their Twitter handle.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the English club Chelsea FC and The Football Association for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18. Read more on @FIFAcom ▶️ https://t.co/iTpcozM7Mz

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) February 22, 2019

"Chelsea was found to have breached art. 19 of the Regulations in the case of twenty-nine (29) minor players and to have committed several other infringements relating to registration requirements for players.

"The club also breached art. 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 (2) 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."

Chelsea to appeal against ban

Meanwhile, Chelsea say they "categorically refute" FIFA's claims they have breached transfer regulations and will appeal a two-window ban.

"Chelsea FC categorically refutes the findings of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee and will therefore be appealing the decision.

The club wishes to emphasise that it respects the important work undertaken by FIFA in relation to the protection of minors and has fully cooperated with FIFA throughout its investigation," the club said on its Twitter handle.

Chelsea Football Club has today issued the following statement. https://t.co/V4HBdmdcyr

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 22, 2019

"Initially, Chelsea FC was charged under Articles 19.1 and 19.3 in relation to 92 players. We welcome the fact that FIFA has accepted that there was no breach in relation to 63 of these players, but the club is extremely disappointed that FIFA has not accepted the club's submissions in relation to the remaining 29 players.

"Chelsea FC acted in accordance with the relevant regulations and will shortly be submitting its appeal to FIFA," the club statement added.

(With FIFA inputs)