FIFA fines Spain over under-age players

Fifa said the latest case involves minors who played for Atletico Madrid between 2007 and 2014 and for Real between 2005 and 2014. — Reuters pic

FIFA on Tuesday fined the Spanish football federation more than $220,000 in the latest stage of its battle with the country over the transfer of under-age players.

Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have all been sanctioned by the world body in recent years for illegally signing foreign under 18 players.

On top of the fine of 220,000 Swiss francs ($221,000/203,000 euros), the Spanish federation, the RFEF, was given a reprimand and six months to get its regulations in line with FIFA rules.

FIFA said the latest case involves minors who played for Atletico Madrid between 2007 and 2014 and for Real between 2005 and 2014.

Real and Atletico are currently serving one year bans on signing players which will last through the transfer window at the end of the 2016-17 season. Both have taken their cases to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The RFEF was also fined 280,000 Swiss francs by FIFA in 2014 after Barcelona were sanctioned for their signings of minors.