CHELSEA are being torn apart by an internal war over their sensational transfer ban for breaking FIFA rules to sign French youngster Gael Kakuta.

And the finger of suspicion is being pointed firmly at Frank Arnesen, promoted to sporting director only two months ago.

Arnesen, originally the club’s academy director, was behind the acquisition of Kakuta in 2007 and proudly told the Chelsea hierarchy: “I’ve just signed the best young kid in France.”

But Chelsea’s desperation to get Kakuta – labelled the Black Zidane – on the books by co-ercing the youngster into breaking his contract at Lens, has backfired with the Blues banned from making any signings until January 2011.

Now the question is can Arnesen survive? The Dane has been a trusted servant in owner Roman Abramovich’s eyes yet he made enemies of former bosses Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant.

His increasing power appears to have caused a rift with chief executive Peter Kenyon who seems to have been sidelined from negotiating player signings. He has been hurt at being undermined and there have been rumours he could be forced out.

When Arnesen appeared in the front row at new boss Carlo Ancelotti’s first Press conference it was confirmation the Dane’s star was shining ever brighter. But FIFA’s ban might put the lights out.

Ancelotti, it seems, was unaware when he quit AC Milan to take over that Chelsea could be facing a transfer ban. With an ageing team he would have been looking to do a fair bit of business next summer if not in January.

This is not the first time Arnesen has been linked to a dodgy deal. Three years ago a BBC Panorama investigation into football bungs accused him of an illegal approach for Middlesbrough’s Nathan Porritt. The Dane was never charged and always denied any wrong-doing.

There is a feeling FIFA are making an example of Chelsea particularly because they have previous “form.”

Chelsea were exposed for their tapping-up of Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole and there was also the unsavoury battle over John Obi Mikel with claim and counter-claim about their behaviour in the deal.

French newspapers have run stories saying Chelsea offered Kakuta’s family £1million to secure the youngster’s signing though those claims have been denied by his agent Roger Boli.

But FIFA’s shock verdict on Chelsea yesterday was damning. While banning Kakuta from playing for four months, FIFA’s dispute resolution chamber – which acted after a complaint from Lens – ruled it had been “established” Chelsea induced the player into a breach of contract.

The ruling added: “As a result the player was condemned to pay compensation in the amount of £680,000 for which the club, Chelsea, is jointly and severally liable.

“Chelsea is banned from registering new players, nationally or internationally, for the two next entire and consecutive registration periods following the notification of the present decisions.

“Furthermore, Chelsea has to pay RC Lens training compensation on the amount of £115,000.”

Chelsea have been told the exact details of the case and reason for the verdict will be sent to them in a fortnight.

They already insist they will appeal and the word from Stamford Bridge last night was they are ready to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

When UEFA president Michel Platini revealed at the Champions League draw last week that Chelsea wanted football’s rulers to clamp down on transfer spending there was astonishment.

It was hard to believe Abramovich, who had lavished £700m on trying to turn the Blues into Europe’s top club, wanted to pull up the drawbridge.

But perhaps he already knew there was something in the wind which would seriously clip his club’s wings.

Few people, until yesterday, had heard of Gael Kakuta. Now his name is destined to go down in the annals of football history.

THE SUN

CHELSEA brought Burnley back to earth with a bang with a comfortable victory to maintain Carlo Ancelotti’s unbeaten start.
The Clarets are favourites for relegation but have been buoyed after beating Everton and Manchester United already this season.

But the Blues bombarded the visitors from the outset, with goalkeeper Brian Jensen in inspired form to keep the scores level heading into the break.

However, on the stroke of half-time, Nicolas Anelka gave Chelsea the lead when Didier Drogba broke down the right and crossed for the Frenchman to score from point-blank range.

And they doubled their lead two minutes after the restart, with Anelka feeding the overlapping Frank Lampard, whose cross found Michael Ballack who finished with a diving header.

Chelsea’s third goal of the game arrived four minutes later, courtesy of Ashley Cole.

Burnley’s defence was ripped apart when Lampard exchanged passes with the England left-back and the former Arsenal star sent a crisp volley past Jensen.

It could have been four in the 54th minute but Anelka crashed his shot against the crossbar from only two yards out after rounding Jensen.

Burnley clearly could not cope with their opponents’ slick style of play and at times Chelsea’s football was fluid, fast and exciting.

It was, at last, the brand of football that owner Roman Abramovich had been yearning for since he took charge.