by Tim Stannard

FIFA imposes one year transfer ban on Chelsea after breaches in rules over signing of youth players 

Well, life is just getting better and better for Chelsea supporters these days. 

Thrashed by Manchester City in the Premier League. Slipping away from the Champions League places. Knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United. Facing City again on Sunday in the League Cup final and now being handed news that could set back the cause of the club for years. 

On Friday, FIFA ordered that Chelsea was to be banned from registering new players for two transfers windows to follow the path of Barcelona and Real Madrid who suffered similar punishments. 

Basically, the EPL outfit cannot sign anyone until summer 2020. The punishment was put in place over breaches in rules over the recruitment of 29 youth players. The club has announced that it will be appealing the decision.

That's a problem. And then some. Maurizio Sarri's only argument for being allowed to stay at Stamford Bridge is the idea that more players could be brought in to fit his particular tactical system. That's not happening anymore. 

Should Sarri be sacked, then recruiting a new top-draw manager will be nigh-on impossible with zero ability to sign players. 

But that's not where the trouble ends. It's also pretty bad news for Real Madrid. 

Chelsea transfer ban is a Hazard to Real Madrid's football future 

The transfer ban will have quite the knock-on effect throughout Europe. 

Gonzalo Higuain for one could be impacted with his loan deal from Juventus only lasting until the end of the season at Stamford Bridge. Will Alvaro Morata be returning to the Stamford Bridge to cover the gap after his loan deal at Atletico Madrid?

And what about Eden Hazard? The footballer has been strongly linked with a summer move to Real Madrid. Indeed the Belgian himself had been quite frank in admitting that a personal decision had already been made on his future. 

It is hard to see Chelsea letting the footballer go without the ability to bring in a replacement, even though Christian Pulisic's move from Borussia Dortmund is unaffected as the American was officially signed this January.

It's a mess that our Sports Burst live show at 12PM ET / 9AM PT will try to unpick. Just head to our beIN SPORTS Facebook USA page. Or watch back at your leisure. 

Battle to find most mediocre team in Europe continues with Last 16 draw

From the thrilling and exciting....to the Europa League draw. The competition has whittled the number of teams likely to finish about sixth - if thy are really lucky - in their respective divisions to a mere 16. 

The aforementioned Chelsea is taking on Dynamo Kiev with its Premier League partners of Arsenal facing Rennes in a tie that really is going to set the pulses running. 

Valencia is up against Krasnodar and...no. No. Can't do this anymore. Just have a look for yourself. 

Friday serves up fulfilling fiesta of football

Football has a Friday feeling vibe. 

Four clubs that will be laughing at Chelsea's plight no doubt are in action in the Premier League. 

There is a London derby as struggling Fulham hosts the unpredictably bizarre West Ham United. Cardiff City takes on Watford in the day's second game in the EPL. 

Second placed Lille - the most fun football team in the world these days - visits Strasbourg in a Ligue Un clash that is live on beIN SPORTS CONNECT at 2:45PM ET / 11:45AM PT. 

Over in Italy and Milan has the chance to edge closer to Inter in third in the Serie A standings with a home game against Empoli. USMNT striker Josh Sargent could see some minutes for Werder Bremen in a Bundesliga clash against Stuttgart.

The beIN SPORTS match of the day has Huesca continuing a battle to get off the bottom of the table with a game at Espanyol. That is live at 3PM ET / 12PM PT. 

The XTRA is the place to be for all the best of the days action. Just tune in at 7PM ET / 4PM PT.