Real Madrid to appeal Federation Internationale de Football Association transfer ban

Then you get them to buy some of your reserve players for ridiculous prices, leaving you with £500million to make your team the best in the world.

The suspension does not come into effect until after the current January window which will end on the 31.

Both clubs were found guilty of breaching rules over the transfer of under-18 players, with Atletico also fined SFr900,000 (£622,000) and Real told to pay SFr 360,000.

“They have been given 90 days to regularize the situation of all minor players connected”, according to a Federation Internationale de Football Association statement.

The sanction is similar to that which was handed to FC Barcelona around 18 months ago, which Barca have just completed and related to the signing of foreign players below the age of 18.

Both clubs announced their intention to appeal the ban. He almost joined Real last summer, and his new contract is reported to have a buy-out clause which would have allowed him to join his home-town club.

“While the precise dealings that Real and Atletico have been sanctioned for have not yet been revealed, they have both strongly rejected FIFA’s claims and intimated that they will appeal the bans”.

The Spanish stopper was linked with a move back to his homeland during the summer transfer window, but ultimately a last-minute fiasco between the two giants prevented a move from going through.

That could force them to accelerate plans to sign players and recruit now because they will not be able to introduce new players to their squad until 2017 if their punishment is upheld.

It’s the second time this season Real Madrid has been left red-faced due to an administrative error, after they were expelled from the Copa del Rey – Spain’s primary cup competition – for fielding an ineligible player, Denis Cheryshev.

But when asked about the possibility of selling De Gea to Real Madrid, Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal expressed confidence that the 25-year-old goalkeeper is committed to the Red Devils.

“But now I am seeing a De Gea who is enjoying staying here at Manchester United and playing good games”.

Atletico have already snapped up Augusto Fernandez from Celta Vigo in this window while Matias Kranevitter is now available to coach Diego Simeone after a loan spell at River Plate expired.