Real, Atletico in darger of getting transfer bans

Real Madrid and neighbours Atletico Madrid could both be hit with FIFA bans, prohibiting them from making any signings this summer or in the January 2016 transfer window, according to reports. Two Spanish radio stations ran the story, saying it was the result of irregularities in signing underage players.

W hile Atletico Madrid are unaware of a possible embargo, Real have denied that the media reports are false. "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," the club said in a statement.

Their city rivals issued the following statement: "We have no in formation regarding this. We col laborated with FIFA in the inves tigation at all times. We are sure that we acted correctly. Because all the licenses were processed after approval from the Madrid soccer federation and the Spanish soccer federation." FIFA though have not issued a formal statement regarding the possible bans. "We are not in a position to comment on any proceedings that are ongoing. No further information can be provided for the time being," said a FIFA spokesperson when contacted by AFP on Wednesday.

Real Madrid seem to have been aware of the impending sanction and that could explain why the club has been active in the transfer market in recently. Thye have bought Lucas Silva from Sao Paulo, 16-year-old Dutch player Martin Odegaard, Porto defender Danilio and 19-year-old Mallorca winger Marco Asensio for a total of 51 million in 2015 alone .

Last January, Real Madrid had issued a communique in which the club insisted it has "scrupulously" complied with the rules.