Real Madrid Issue Response to 'Inappropriate' FIFA Transfer Ban, Plan to Appeal

Real Madrid will appeal FIFA's decision to enforce a transfer registration ban on them until 2017, proclaiming the sanction is "absolutely inappropriate," with the allegations deemed "untrue" by Los Blancos.

The Spanish giants published a statement on their official website on Thursday, saying they will appeal the governing body's decision:

"

Real Madrid C. F. has today received the decision from the FIFA disciplinary committee, dated 23th July 2015, sanctioning the club with a transfer ban that prevents them from registering any players for the next two complete and consecutive registration periods as well as fining the club 360,000 Swiss francs.

[...]

As a result, Real Madrid C. F. will appeal this decision of FIFA in all the sporting incidents, considering them absolutely inappropriate.

"

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Madrid will be allowed to sign players in the current January transfer window if the ban is upheld on appeal, but they will be forced to omit new signings from their playing squad until the sanction ends in 13 months' time.  

FIFA's official website revealed the news of sanctions in a statement on Thursday. The ban is in relation to rule breaches in signing players under the age of 18.

Atletico Madrid received identical sanctions as their illustrious neighbours and confirmed they would also appeal, as noted on their official website.

The statement from the governing body read: "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." 

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Atleti took the same view as Los Blancos on the punishment, claiming in the statement on their official website: "Our club does not agree with the imposed sanctioning ruling and will examine all the documentation received to lodge an appeal against the sanction."

Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague said Real were planning a major overhaul of their squad, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the shop window. However, a transfer ban will see president Florentino Perez resist doing business, holding his squad together until Madrid can once again register new talent:

Bleacher Report's Karl Matchett believes Los Rojiblancos are better prepared for the ban than Real, as they have a young and hungry squad already at their disposal:

New coach Zinedine Zidane will likely be forced into the January transfer market as a result of the sanctions, with his squad suffering with inconsistency under previous boss Rafael Benitez. 

If Ronaldo was planning an escape from the Spanish capital in the summer—per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News—or if David De Gea had designs of signing for Real, a transfer ban would scupper any deals, potentially impacting Europe's elite clubs across the board.