Top Spanish clubs, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid
have lost their appeals against transfer bans imposed by world football governing body, FIFA for breaking rules protecting underage players.
Players involved were aged under 18 who played in competitions for Atletico
between 2007 and 2014, and Real from 2005-2014.
The rivals were initially charged early this year but appealed
and were allowed to sign players during the last transfer window. Unfortunately
FIFA’s appeals committee dismissed both clubs’
appeals window and now they have to serve their bans.
“Both
clubs are to serve a transfer ban that prevents them from registering any
players at national and international level for the next two complete and
consecutive registration periods for breaching articles 5, 9, 19 and 19bis as
well as annexes 2 and 3 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of
Players (the “Regulations”),” a FIFA statement said.
“The
transfer ban applies to each club as a whole – with the exception of the
women’s, futsal and beach soccer teams – and does not prevent the release of
players.”
The implication there is they can make deals with
other clubs to sign players, but cannot register them to play. Atletico were fined £622,000,
while Real Madrid were given a £249,000 fine.
Recall that Barcelona were also dealt a similar blow
in April 2014 after breaching rules on the transfer of under-18 players.
Reacting to the verdict, Real Madrid coach, Zinedine Zidane
said, "I don't understand anything. It's unfair, absurd. We're going to
wait and hope the issue gets resolved. The club will do everything in its power
to overturn this sanction. I hope things get fixed quickly."
Both Spanish teams are however taking their cases to
the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
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