Chelsea under scrutiny as PFA check Blues haven't broke rules with Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling is receiving backing from the Professional Footballers' Association after being frozen out of Chelsea's first-team squad. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has made it abundantly clear that Sterling has no future at Stamford Bridge and he is now training in isolation alongside Axel Disasi, who has similarly been cast aside.

The PFA has reached out to Chelsea to guarantee that Sterling and Disasi can maintain training at elite level. They are also determined to check that Chelsea are not breaking any rules. England star Sterling, 30, who has two years remaining on his £325,000-a-week deal, recently shared an image of himself forced to train under floodlights as part of Chelsea's "bomb squad."

FIFA rules stipulate that compelling a player to train alone can amount to "abusive conduct", potentially enabling the player to tear up his contract with "just cause."

Sterling spent the previous campaign on loan with Arsenal and expressed his desire to depart Chelsea during the summer window. However, he wished to remain in London for his family's benefit and a prospective switch to Fulham failed to materialise.

Sterling and other contracted players are reluctant to surrender their deals because substantial sums are involved and the PFA are keen to prevent any "abusive behaviour" being deployed against players to force their exit. The PFA have been contacted for comment.

The PFA handles numerous comparable situations throughout the Premier League and the EFL involving players who are no longer wanted by their clubs but remain under contract. Disasi's contract runs until 2029 and neither he nor Sterling are anticipated to receive any first team opportunities until the transfer window reopens in January.

FIFA also monitors players and the PFA has taken steps to ensure clubs understand the complete details of the world governing body's regulations.

Maresca has made Chelsea's stance crystal clear regarding Sterling. When questioned about the banished players recently, Maresca responded: "They are Chelsea players because they have a contract with the club. In this moment, they are still training apart. The idea is to continue in exactly the same way.

"Since we started the season, I didn't see one of them. I didn't see Renato [Veiga, who left for Villarreal], I didn't see Axel, I didn't see Raheem, because they train at a different time on a different pitch. I haven't seen them since we started the season."

And when asked if there was any route back into the first team for Sterling and Disasi, Maresca curtly replied: "With us? No."