FIFA temporarily lifts Real Madrid transfer ban

Real Madrid’s transfer ban has been temporarily lifted by FIFA while the world governing body investigates Los Blancos’ appeal.

Real, along with city rivals Atletico de Madrid, were given a two-window transfer ban after allegedly breaching rules over the signing of youth players from overseas. Both clubs appealed the punishment and FIFA has suspended the ban while it continues to investigate certain aspects of both clubs’ deals.

Media reports understand that a decision on the appeal could be made before the summer meaning that if the ban is upheld neither club will be able to register new players until the end of the 2016-17 season.

A statement from Real read: “Real Madrid would like to communicate that the FIFA appeals committee has decided to temporarily suspend the sanctions imposed on the club.” Atletico broke the news via their Twitter feed.

The case mirrors one against Barcelona in 2014. The Catalan outfit was banned for two transfer windows and managed to put back the start of the ban by appealing the verdict. The ban was ultimately upheld but the Nou Camp side was to spend more than 150 million euros in the summer of 2014 on players such as Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Claudio Bravo, Thomas Vermaelen, Alen Halilovic and Jeremy Mathieu.