Wednesday 29 April 2015 15:14, UK
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have both denied media reports that they could face a FIFA transfer ban for breaching rules for signing U18 players.
Spanish media reports on Tuesday claimed that the Madrid rivals could be set for a possible FIFA transfer ban similar to that enforced on Barcelona.
Real confirmed in January that FIFA had asked for information pertaining to 51 players in their youth system, although released a statement on Wednesday denying any wrongdoing.
The statement read: "The cited information is completely false, as evidenced by the fact the Spanish Football Federation have denied to different media sources that Real Madrid are implicated in any irregularity in the signing of minors.
"Real Madrid reiterates that it has always complied scrupulously respected FIFA's rules."
The two clubs were reportedly set to be sanctioned for breaching rules on signings involving non-Spanish U18 players, the same offence that led to the La Liga leaders being handed a transfer embargo for two windows, although Atletico have denied being aware of any potential ban.
"We have not received any notification by FIFA or by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) regarding the reports that are circulating in the Spanish media," Atletico press officer Juan Jose Anaut said. "We want to state that we have cooperated with FIFA at all times.
"We believe we have followed the correct steps when it comes to licencing under age players as we have followed the guidelines of the RFEF and the Madrid Football Federation just as FIFA stipulates in order for licences to be approved."
Barcelona are currently serving a 14-month ban and cannot sign players until January 2016, after their appeal against the punishment to FIFA and to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was upheld.
“We are not in a position to comment on any proceedings that are ongoing,” a FIFA spokesman said. “No further information can be provided for the time-being."
