PARIS, May 16 (Xinhua) -- FIFA announced on Thursday that its Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned Belgian football club Anderlecht and the Belgian Football Association for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18.
Anderlecht were found to have breached relevant FIFA regulations in signing four minor players. Taking the cooperation of the club into consideration, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decided to impose a fine of 200,000 Swiss francs (around 198,000 U.S. dollars) on the club.
The Belgian Football Association were also fined 230,000 Swiss francs (around 228,000 U.S. dollars).
FIFA said that protection of minors is a key element in its overall regulatory framework relating to the transfer of players, and the effective enforcement of these rules is paramount.
FIFA added that its Disciplinary Committee's decisions have been notified and can be contested before the FIFA Appeal Committee.
Anderlecht later issued a statement saying that they would not appeal against the FIFA's decision.
According to the Belgian club, relevant breaches dated back from 2011 to 2013.
"Such administrative deficiencies have not appeared in recent years and will not happen again in the future," read the statement.
Premier League club Chelsea was banned from making any signing for the next two transfer periods by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, before seeing their appeal partially upheld by the Appeal Committee. They have decided to file an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
