Madrid Happy In Sadness As Cas Reduces Transfer Ban

By Andah John with agency report

Fifa’s two-year transfer window ban on Real Madrid was Tuesday reduced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas)

The Spanish giants can buy new players in next summer’s transfer window, following the ruling.

Real had been sanctioned by Fifa for irregularities in the signing of foreign under-18 players.

But after an appeal, Cas partially overturned the Fifa sentence.

However, the European champions are still banned from recruiting in the upcoming January window.

Cas also reduced the fine imposed by Fifa on the club from 360,000 Swiss francs ($350,000, 340,000 euros) to 240,000.

Madrid happy in sadness

Real welcomed the verdict but rued that the Spanish giants weren’t fully exonerated.

“This decision shows the injustice of the punishment imposed by Fifa whilst the club regrets that Cas didn’t have the courage to overturn it completely,” the club said.

Real’s appeal was investigated by Swiss lawyer Michele Bernasconi who found “that some of the rule violations alleged by Fifa could be upheld, but not all of them,” according to a Cas statement.

Less serious infractions

It concluded: “Considering that the infractions committed by Real Madrid were less serious and less numerous than argued by the Fifa judiciary bodies, the Sole Arbitrator ruled that the sanctions imposed on Real Madrid had to be reduced.”