On Thursday, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee ruled that both Madrid clubs had breached regulations relating to the signing of international players under the age of 18.
The charges were related to signings and registrations made between 2007 and 2014 for Atlético Madrid and between 2005 and 2014 for Real Madrid.
Both clubs are facing a transfer ban covering the next two transfer windows; summer 2016 and Winter 2017 and appear to be subject to the ban as FC Barcelona, who themselves faced a similar sanctions in 2014.
Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid Handed Transfer Bans By FIFA
In a statement on their website FIFA declared:
‘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.
The transfer ban, which does not affect the current registration period at all, given that it opened before the decisions were notified, 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.’
This may significantly alter the transfer plans of both clubs, especially Real Madrid, who had been rumoured to be planning a mini revolution in the summer, potentially seeing stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema leave the Bernabeu with Chelsea’s Eden Hazard apparently the apple of Zinedine Zidane’s eye.
In addition to the transfer and registration bans both clubs have also been fined; Atlético €821,000 and Real €328,000.
FIFA were keen to reiterate their stance on youth players by declaring:
‘FIFA works hard to protect the rights of players under the age of 18 – whether male or female, amateur or professional. This is done through the enforcement of regulations prohibiting the international transfer of minors, or the first registration of minors in a country other than their own, except in specific circumstances that must be approved by the sub-committee appointed by the Players’ Status Committee. As such, the provisions relating to the protection of minors need to be strictly applied. This has been confirmed on various occasions by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. ‘
Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid are yet to comment.
