Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid Transfer Bans Likely To Affect In-Demand Players, Coaches

FIFA has barricaded the entrance doors for new players at Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee on Thursday fined Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid and banned the clubs from fielding new players until the summer of 2017, world soccer’s governing body announced on its website. The sanctions come as punishment for the clubs breaking rules related to signing international players under age 18.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid allegedly violated FIFA’s rules for much of the last decade.

“The investigations concerned minor players who were involved and participated in competitions with the clubs over various periods between 2007 and 2014 (Atlético de Madrid) and between 2005 and 2014 (Real Madrid),” FIFA’s statement read.

Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are expected to appeal the ban.

The ban takes effect in the upcoming summer transfer window, meaning Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid can sign and register new players during the current window, which closes on Feb. 1. The ban could compel the Madrid duo to act quickly in order to secure players for the rest of this season and all of next season.

FIFA’s announcement is likely to affect the futures of Atletico Madrid’s in-demand coach, Diego Simeone, and presumed Real Madrid transfer targets like Manchester United’s David de Gea, Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, Juventus’ Paul Pogba and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard.

Real Madrid’s and Atletico Madrid’s bans are similar to the one FC Barcelona received in April 2014. Barcelona’s ban prevented the club from registering new players, although it could buy them from other teams but not play them in competitive games.

Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@guardian_sport