PFA chief Gordon Taylor has waded in to the controversy surrounding the Gael Kakuta affair, branding the punishment handed out to Chelsea as ''draconian''. Chelsea have been banned from registering any new players during the next two transfer windows following the guilty verdict handed down to them by FIFA.

Chelsea were found to have induced the young French player in to breaking his contract with Lens two years ago and Taylor believes the Stamford Bridge outfit are now being singled out by FIFA to discourage such activity amongst other clubs looking to entice young talent.

''It does seem quite draconian and if they (FIFA) do that they must have felt some justification,'' Taylor said.''I know FIFA and many people in the world are worried that the biggest clubs will automatically gather the very best players. The worry is, if they have the best youngsters, are they going to get as good an opportunity there as somewhere else?''

Taylor, speaking at the presentation of the PFA International Challenge Cup in South Africa, suggested that a lack of opportunities for young players could be the result of the astronomical transfer fees currently being paid out by clubs such as Manchester City.

''It is a delicate situation because you get young lads who want to have the opportunity to play with these clubs,'' said Taylor. ''But you also know there is such a fall-out rate as they are growing up and you also know the biggest clubs will be able to take any youngster they want.

''But if we want all clubs to have development programmes and be a catchment area for local quality youngsters, is it fair they don't get good compensation if they lose those youngsters? Part of the job of being a football administrator is to make sure every club has an equal opportunity. But when there is money about - and with some clubs it has been called 'money doping' because some have money to an infinite degree compared to others that have to watch the balance sheet - and that is not a level playing field. It is great for the supporters of those clubs but sometimes it makes it difficult for other clubs to compete properly.''