They aren’t happy.
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have lost their appeals against a Fifa ban that permits them from signing players for the next two transfer windows.
The Spanish clubs received the bans after being found to have breached the rules of the transfer of foreign players under the age of 18.
The pair appealed against the ruling in January, enabling them to sign players this summer, and Real say they will take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
They also released a statement, calling the ruling “deeply unjust.”
“In light of today’s decision by the FIFA Appeal Committee, Real Madrid C. F. wishes to communicate the following:
“1. The club regrets said decision, understanding it to be deeply unjust and contrary to the fundamental principles of disciplinary law.
“2. 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.
“3. Real Madrid C. F. will request that the procedure be undertaken in an urgent manner in order to obtain a decision from the CAS as quickly as possible.”
There’s an argument to be made that this isn’t the worst thing that could happen to either club. It will lead to them looking to tie-down their key players on long-term deals. Youth team players might even get a chance in the Real first-team.
Barcelona also weren’t negatively affected by being hit with a transfer ban. The Catalan club bought Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal in 2015 while serving a ban, but were prevented from registering them and playing them until January 2016 when the window re-opened. That didn’t stop them winning a league and cup double.
Read more
