Zinedine Zidane Calls Real Madrid Transfer Ban Absurd

Zinedine Zidane says the one-year transfer ban imposed on Real Madrid by FIFA is absurd and insists the club's appeal will be upheld.

The sanction means the club will not be able to register new signings until July 2017 once the present transfer window closes at the end of the month, but Madrid have signalled their intention to take an appeal all the way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Two of Zidane's sons, who play in the Real academy, were among 39 players investigated by FIFA with the club eventually sanctioned for breaking the rules regarding the signing of foreign nationals under 18 in eight cases.

“It seems absurd because they [his sons] have lived their whole lives here in Madrid with family and it will be fixed. The most important thing is that we know what has happened now. I think it will be fixed with time and next week we won't speak of this anymore. It doesn't make sense. We will wait and see what happens next week. I am calm, it is an error and nothing more. The club will appeal. There are not just my sons, there are many players and families and I think it is an error” said Zidane

Under international football rules, players under the age of 18 cannot be transferred to another country, except in limited circumstances and all transfers need the approval of a special FIFA committee. The two clubs must lodge an appeal with FIFA's appeals committee and if they are unsuccessful can then take their case to CAS. However, Zidane insists he is happy with his squad and said there have been no discussions about possible reinforcements despite the ban.