Real Madrid have formally responded to reports claiming they and Atletico Madrid will be handed FIFA-imposed transfer bans for breaching regulations regarding the signing of youth players.

Late Tuesday, it was reported by Cadena SER that Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were to be handed transfer bans beginning with the upcoming summer window and concluding at the end of the January signing period.

The two La Liga clubs were said to have committed similar offenses to those which have seen Barcelona banned from signing any new players until January 2016.

Earlier today, the Spanish publication Marca reported that its sources within the RFEF had denied knowledge of an impending transfer embargo on Real Madrid. However, their sources did confirm Atletico Madrid were implicated in the matter and have been notified of the ruling from FIFA.

Now, Real Madrid have vehemently denied the claims, describing them as “false” and meant to “cause harm” to the club.

An official statement from Madrid reads:

“In view of last night’s reports, alluding to supposed legal sources, about a future sanction against Real Madrid for possible infractions in the signing of foreign minors, the club would like to state the following:

1. That said information is completely false, as demonstrated by the fact that the Spanish Football Federation has spoken to different media outlets to refute the claims that Real Madrid is implicated in a kid of irregular activity when it comes to signing minors.

2. Real Madrid reiterates that the club has always scrupulously adhered to FIFA regulations, as was explained in detail in the official announcement dated 26 January 2015.

3. Real Madrid is once again saddened by these reports, some of which are intended to cause harm, the only aim of which are to implicate the club in supposed infractions that have not been committed.

4. At the same time, it is surprising that certain media outlets insist on connecting the latest signings with a hypothetical sanction, as there is no relationship between the signing of players and their subsequent inscription, which is what FIFA prohibits.

5. Real Madrid reiterates once again its absolute commitment to the defense, protection and the correct and healthy development of minors, which take precedence over sporting interests and, as a consequence, confirms its total support of these FIFA regulations and the club’s adherence to them.”