Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have lost their appeals against bans on signing players. The ban that will commence immediately means both Madrid clubs cannot sign any players in the next two transfer windows. However, the clubs can agree deals to sign players but not register them to play. The ban comes after both clubs broke FIFA rules on signing foreign players under the age of 18. In addition to the transfer embargo both clubs have been fined. Atletico were charged £660,000, while Real Madrid were fined around £250,000.
This summer Real Madrid signed just one player in Alvaro Morata after he rejoined from Juventus this summer. Los Blancos have started their season well after following up winning the UEFA Super Cup with two consecutive league wins.
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid Lose Transfer Ban Appeals
Atletico Madrid on the other hand signed five new players including Fernando Torres, Kevin Gameiro and Nicolas Gaitan. This news has made a poor start to the season even worse for Atletico – who have failed to beat two of La Liga’s newly-promoted sides in their opening two games of the season.
The ban is similar to the ban imposed on Barcelona in 2015. The Catalan club were banned from registering any new signings until January 2016. After the ban ended the club registered 77 new players including Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal.
Reaction to the appeal decision
Real Madrid have described the decision in a club statement as “deeply unjust and contrary to the fundamental principles of disciplinary law.” The club are also keen to take the issue to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). In the statement they declared “The club will begin the appropriate appeals procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), requesting that the decision be completely overturned, with absolute confidence that said organisation will come to an entirely favourable decision.” In January, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane described the transfer ban imposed on Real Madrid by FIFA as “absurd“.
Atletico Madrid have had a similar reaction to the decision. In a club statement, they have said they will appeal the transfer ban to the CAS, stating “Our club does not agree with the decision of FIFA’s Appeal Committee to reject the appeal filed, so it has decided to appeal it to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).”
FIFA have 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.”
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