Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid faces transfer ban

Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid have both denied any wrongdoing after Spanish media reported that Fifa is preparing to impose a transfer embargo on both clubs.

According to the reports, Fifa has decided to sanction the Madrid rivals over similar breaches of rules on the transfer of foreign under-18 players that last year led to a ban for Barcelona.



An Atlético spokesman, asked about the claims, said: “We have no information regarding that. We collaborated with Fifa in the investigation at all times. We are sure that we acted correctly … all the licenses were processed after approval from the Madrid soccer federation and the Spanish soccer federation.”

Real confirmed at the end of January that Fifa had requested detailed information about 51 of the club’s youth players, but insisted they had complied with the regulations.

Responding to the latest reports, Real issued a strongly-worded statement calling them “absolutely false” and “malicious”. They added: “Real Madrid reiterates again its full commitment to the defence, protection and proper and healthy development of children taking precedence over sporting interests.”

A Fifa spokesperson said: “We are not in a position to comment on any proceedings that are ongoing. No further information can be provided for the time-being.”

Fifa announced last April that it had banned Barcelona from the transfer market for two consecutive windows. The club denied wrongdoing but their appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was rejected, and they will not be able to register any new players until January next year.

Credit: Guardian Sport

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