Real Madrid Facing Possible FIFA Sanctions For Signing Of Underage Players

Real Madrid is currently under investigation into how the club conducted its signing of underage players. Should it be deemed that the Spanish side have breached FIFA regulations, the reigning world and European champions could face similar sanctions to those which were handed down on Barcelona last year – the Catalan club was barred from signing players for two transfer windows.

Rumors of the investigation into the La Liga club’s dealings have been circulating for months, although it was perceived as a “wake-up call” for other European clubs to straighten out their acts and reform their policies for signing youth players. But it has been learned that twenty clubs have been contacted and questioned by FIFA about their dealings with Real Madrid.

According to the Catalan daily SPORT, the number of youth players under investigation is around 70. That does not mean that all seventy players were signed unfairly or illegally, just that information about them has been sought by FIFA.

SPORT also claims that the La Liga club has been quick to respond, as president Florentino Perez has contacted each club and player involved in the investigation to ensure they do not make any official statements before discussing the issue with Real Madrid.

FIFA is also currently investigating several other Spanish clubs for activities surrounding the signing of underage players, including current La Liga champions Atletico Madrid.