Chelsea have had their transfer ban lifted by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after reaching an agreement with Lens over the signing of Gael Kakuta. A statement on the CAS web-site said that the two clubs and the player had accepted the player's contract with the French side was not valid.

Thus Kakuta could not have terminated it prematurely, so Chelsea could not be liable for inducing it to be breached. The CAS said all parties agreed the proceedings would remain confidential.

In September 2009, Fifa's Dispute Resolution Chamber imposed a four-month ban on the player and banned Chelsea from registering any new players in the next two transfer windows over the case.

A statement on the club web-site from chairman Bruce Buck said Chelsea were glad to have resolved the matter amicably.

Portsmouth have been taken over by their fourth different owner of the season but his ownership could be subject to a legal dispute. Hong Kong-based businessman Balram Chainrai has taken 90% of the club's shares after the existing owners defaulted on loan payments due to him. He says he is only looking after the club until yet more new owners come in.

But a lawyer for the club's previous owner, Ali Al Faraj, will challenge whether such a takeover can go through.