Transfer bans slapped on Spanish soccer giants Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will send repercussions rippling around European football.
Both clubs are prohibited from signing or releasing players to other clubs during the ban, which covers the summer 2016 and winter 2017 windows.
Either both clubs have to rush through a spate of transfers during the coming weeks or put player changers on the back burner until summer 2017.
FIFA’s disciplinary committee imposed the punishment for breaking the rules regulating the transfer of players aged under 18 years old.
Both clubs are expected to appeal against the ban, but where does the careers of some major players are in limbo for more than a year if their appeals fail.
Ripples hit English Premier League
Real Madrid in particular has had plans to move big signings in and out shredded.
New manager Zinedine Zadine wanted to shift some players who are reaching their sell-by dates, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Other clubs are also affected by the ban.
Manchester United was tabling offers for Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. Paris St Germaine was also wooing Ronaldo.
While Real Madrid planned to move for Chelsea’s poor performing Eden Hazard.
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has wanted to move to Real Madrid for months, and had his hopes scuppered in the last transfer window when his transfer documents failed to be registered on time.
If he misses out again, he may have to spend another torturous season at Old Trafford or look for a new home.
Careers put on hold
Real Madrid was also looking to lure Tottenham scoring sensation Harry Kane to Spain without even wincing at his £50 million price tag.
Other players on the radar of the Madrid clubs include Chelsea’s disgruntled Diego Costa and Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann, coveted by Chelsea and Manchester City.
Another career up in the air is that of Atletico manager Diego Simeone, who has hinted he would like to manage in the English Premier League and may decide to jump ship if he cannot spend any cash on his team for effectively two seasons.
Barcelona, has just come out of a transfer freeze, after managing to defer the start long enough to buy striker Luis Suarez.
The thoughts are in Madrid that behind the scenes manoeuvring with FIFA could defer the start of the punishment long enough for both Atletico and Real to force through some transfers.
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