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Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has dismissed suggestions that signing Gael Kakuta was "child trafficking".Chelseahave been hit by a transfers ban after Fifa found them guilty ofinducing Kakuta to break his contract with Lens in 2007 when he was 16.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter called it "child slavery" and Uefa president Michel Platini "child trafficking".

But Kenyon hit back: "It was something that happened two years ago that was in no way child trafficking."

TheStamford Bridge club have been banned by Fifa from making any newsignings for two transfer windows, as well as having to pay Lens"training compensation" of 130,000 euros (£114,000).

Kakuta has been banned from playing in official matches for fourmonths and the now 18-year-old must also pay compensation of 780,000euros (£682,000), for which Chelsea are "jointly and severally liable".

Chelsea are appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport inLausanne, and Kenyon added: "He wants to play his profession, which isfootball.

"We need to take account for that and understand thisis something that happened two years ago, and make sure we've gotenough support around him to ensure he's fully supported at a difficulttime."

Kenyon also insisted that Chelsea were still supportiveof a ban on the international transfers of players aged under 18, amove Fifa and Uefa are both backing.

"This has been talkedabout for the last 12 months and we have signed up fully to theEuropean Club Association's and Uefa's position, along with Fifa's," hesaid.

"We need to separate our overall position with the specific case. The fact we are appealing tells you our position."