While Chelsea’s previous in the way they conduct their business in the transfer market makes it difficult to feel sympathy for them the decision to ban the club from signing any new players until January 2011 seems spectacularly harsh.

Many will recall the arrogant manner of their public pursuit of Ashley Cole and John Obi Mikel and understandably conclude that the Blues have, belatedly, got their just desserts.

Perhaps, but on the other hand Fifa’s decision to impose a transfer ban on the west London outfit after finding them guilty of inducing Gael Kakuta to break his contract with Lens in 2007, a decision which follows hot on the heels of UEFA’s decision to ban Arsenal striker Eduardo for diving in the Gunners’ Champions League win over Celtic, raises serious questions about the way both organisations conduct their business.

In relation to Chelsea’s ban you’ve got to ask why Fifa have suddenly now decided to take such a strong stand on the issue of tapping up.

After all, the dogs on the street know the practise goes on regularly. What makes the Katuta affair different?

The second point is will all sides found guilty of tapping up or to quote Fifa’s words  ‘inducing’ a player  from now on be banned from doing business in the next two transfer markets? 

Surely if Fifa are to retain any semblance of credibility any club found guilty of similar behaviour from now on, and there are many of them, will have to receive the same punishment.

Otherwise Fifa will leave themselves open to a charge of engaging in a witch-hunt against Chelsea.

UEFA’s handling of the Eduardo case is similarly disconcerting. While the evidence against the Arsenal striker is compelling, UEFA, like Fifa, have shown an utter disregard for legal precedent. 

And again, like Fifa, UEFA have signalled out one individual for an issue that is endemic in the sport.

Where’s the consistency? Never before, until Eduardo’s case that is, have UEFA banned a player after a referee, having looked at the incident subsequently, decided he was satisfied with his original decision.

The second point is when players are found to have dived during a game they get booked. That is the standard punishment. Yet in this case Eduardo has been handed a two-game ban.

Ultimately you’ve got to wonder if Fifa and UEFA are simply making and changes the rules as they go along.