Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid sanctioned for breaches of regulations on minors
La Liga clubs Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid will not be able to register new players the next two transfer windows due to violations of the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18.
This is the message in a statement released by FIFA's Disciplinary Committee today.
"The two clubs were found to have violated several provisions concerning the international transfer and first registration of minor players as well as other relevant provisions with regard to the registration and participation of certain players in competitions," the statement says.
The transfer bans will prevent the clubs from registering new players in the 2016 summer and 2017 winter transfer windows. The ban will not affect the current window, says the statement.
Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid have further been fined CHF 900,000 and CHF 360,000 respectively and are given 90 days to "regularise the situation of all minor players involved".
More information
Read also Play the Game's earlier articles on under-age players:
The earth shakes under Spanish football
Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Valencia CF and Rayo Vallecano are under investigation for signing ‘illegal’ minors.
Children are something you sell…
Major European clubs and anonymous investment funds are fighting across cities, countries and continents over football’s new gold – talented minors.
Thousands of children have been traded already
FIFA has punished FC Barcelona for trading children. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. The trade of minors is standard practice in European football – and has been for years. Now, for the first time since the sanctions against the Spanish club were issued, FIFA responds to enquiries regarding the case.
More on our theme page on Children in sport