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FIFA imposes transfer ban on Real Madrid and Atletico

Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring a goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid at the Balaidos stadium in Vigo, Spain Sunday Jan. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar) Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring a goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Celta Vigo and Atletico Madrid at the Balaidos stadium in Vigo, Spain Sunday Jan. 10, 2016. (AP Photo/Lalo R. Villar)

By Associated Press January 14, 2016 1 min read

ZURICH (AP) – FIFA has banned Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid from signing players in next two transfer windows for breaching rules relating to signing players under the age of 18.

The Spanish clubs can still sign players in the current transfer window but will be banned from making additions to their squads until after the 2016-17 season.

Barcelona served a similar sanction for 2015 after stalling the transfer ban to enable them to sign players in the 2014 window.

FIFA says Atletico has also been fined 900,000 Swiss francs ($900,000) and Real Madrid fined 360,000 Swiss francs ($360,000).