FIFA to hear Chelsea's transfer ban appeal on April 11

Chelsea's hopes of signing players this summer were given a lifeline with news that FIFA will hear the Premier League side's appeal against a one-year transfer ban.

World soccer's governing body announced Monday that Chelsea's appeal will be heard on April 11, according to The Telegraph's Matt Law. The hearing stems from a February ruling that saw the English club banned from signing new players over the next two transfer windows due to multiple rule violations pertaining to young players

Chelsea were initially "astonished" when FIFA refused to freeze the transfer ban while the club appealed. But now, even if FIFA upholds the ban, the date of the hearing could afford Chelsea enough time to go to the Court of Arbitration of Sport and attempt to freeze the penalty until a ruling is made - potentially after the summer window.

Barcelona employed a similar tactic in 2014 when their transfer ban was pushed back a year, allowing the Catalan side to sign superstar striker Luis Suarez and others in the interim.

Along with the transfer ban, FIFA also fined Chelsea £460,000 as a result of 29 rule breaches involving the signings of teenage players.