FIFA fines Spanish FA for transfer violations

Football’s governing body, FIFA, has fined the Spanish football federation for breaking international transfer rules when by allowing Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid to sign underage players from other countries.

In January, FIFA banned the two Madrid clubs from participating in two consecutive transfer windows for breaching rules regarding the signing of underage non-Spanish players, similar to the punishment Barcelona faced in 2015.

FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee ruled that the Spanish federation must pay 220,000 Swiss francs (180,972 GBP) for breaching article 19 of their regulations on the status and transfers of players, which is designed to protect minors.

The decision was made based on the investigations carried out by FIFA concerning minor players who were involved with, and took part in competitions with, Atletico from 2007 until 2014 and with Real Madrid between 2005 and 2014.

Real and Atletico saw their appeals against transfer bans rejected last month by FIFA’s Appeal Committee and are banned from signing new players until January 2018.

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