Real, Atletico Hit by One Year Transfer Bans

Win expected of Zidane’s rejuvenated Madrid 47 SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2016 JANUARY SATURDAY, SportsSports MADRID: Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa, right, vies for the ball with Rayo Vallecano’s Ze Castro during the Copa del Rey second leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano at the Vicente Calderon stadium. (Story on Page 47) Real, Atletico hit by one year transfer bans MADRID: Spanish giants Real Madrid suffered anoth- FIFA to all sports authorities, considering it absolutely FIFA said the alarm was raised over the two clubs by David de Gea was also frustrated at the last minute er institutional embarrassment on Thursday as they inadmissible,” read a statement on the Madrid web- FIFA’s Transfer Matching System and its disciplinary in August as the clubs failed to register the and rivals Atletico Madrid were banned by FIFA from site. “We will appeal, we think we are right and I think committee completed the inquiry. Under interna- required paperwork in time. buying players for one year over their dealing in this is unjust,” said Atletico president Enrique Cerezo. tional football rules, players under 18 cannot be The sanction could also be bad news for the likes under-age players. European champions Barcelona have just com- transferred to another country, except in limited cir- of Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United, who The ban will start from the July transfer window pleted a one year ban for similar reasons. Barca were cumstances. All transfers need the approval of a spe- had targeted Madrid stars Cristiano Ronaldo and this year and finish with the January transfer market initially banned in April 2014, but managed to delay cial FIFA committee. Gareth Bale, with Real highly unlikely to dispose of in 2017 meaning newly appointed Real coach the sanction taking effect until the transfer windows However, the Spanish league labeled the sanc- their best players without the chance to sign suitable Zinedine Zidane will be unable to strengthen his in January and the summer of 2015 by launching an tions “disproportionate” and called for a change in replacements. La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid’s usual- squad this summer. Atletico were also fined 900,000 ultimately unsuccessful appeal to the Court of the rules, claiming they don’t have the desired effect ly hectic transfer policy will also be put on hold. Swiss francs (820,000 Euros) and Real 360,000 Arbitration for Sport (CAS). of protecting the rights of minors. Madrid admitted However, Diego Simeone’s men look well-placed (330,000 euros). However, both clubs are still allowed By delaying the ban, Barca managed to sign the in January that they had supplied FIFA with the to cope with the ban having invested heavily in to sign players until the end of the month. likes of Luis Suarez and Ivan Rakitic in the summer of details of 51 players as part of their investigation, young talent over the past year. “Not being able to “The two clubs were found to have violated sev- 2014 to propel them to a treble of La Liga, which they claimed were exempt from the regula- sign is a problem because the seasons are very long eral provisions concerning the international transfer Champions League and Copa del Rey, a route poten- tions for various reasons. and you always need players. Fortunately, we have a and first registration of minor players as well as other tially open to both clubs depending on how quickly The news is the latest off-field blow for Real good and big squad with young players that can relevant provisions with regard to the registration CAS can hear their appeals. Real and Atletico were having sacked two Champions League winning overcome these two windows without signings,” and participation of certain players in competitions,” “issued with a reprimand and given 90 days in which coaches in Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez in the added Cerezo. Indeed, Atletico have already made said a FIFA statement. to regularize the situation of all minor players con- past seven months, as well as being thrown out of two additions to their squad in January in Argentine Both clubs announced their intention to appeal cerned,” FIFA said. the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player. international midfielders Matias Kranevitter and the ban. “Real Madrid will appeal this decision by They can still sell players during the transfer ban. The signing of Manchester United goalkeeper Augusto Fernandez. — AFP .

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