FIFA deny Chelsea request to freeze one-year transfer ban

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Chelsea v Dynamo Kiev - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - March 7, 2019 General view inside the stadium before the match REUTERS/Eddie Keogh/File Photo

(Reuters) - Chelsea said on Friday they were "astonished" their request to freeze their one-year transfer ban handed out by FIFA has been denied after similar requests in the past led to a suspension of the sanction.

FIFA confirmed on Tuesday that the English Premier League side had appealed against the ban, which it imposed after judging that Chelsea had breached rules on overseas players under the age of 18.