How is this different from Barcelona’s ban?
In purely substantive terms, it isn’t. Both Madrid clubs have been sanctioned for the same offences that Barcelona had committed. There is one key difference though and that is with regards to the timing of the incident. Barcelona’s ban was announced in April, meaning that the whole appeals process would start (and conclude) closer to the summer transfer window, giving them time to sort out kinks and the squad and recruit as needed.
Trending
Two of the additions from that period, Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez (as already mentioned) were key in their highly successful season that followed. The timing of the ban for the Madrid clubs makes the manoeuvring of procedure and administrative rules a little bit harder, as there is already a transfer window in place.
This means that the timing of the lodging of appeals, as well as the appeals process itself, is less favourable to the clubs, as it may conclude before the summer transfer window.
What does this mean for transfers?
Depending on the outcome of the appeals process (as well as its timing), it could mean many things. If either club is successful in the appeal to rescind the ban, it would mean business as usual for Real and Atletico.
An appeal that results in the delay of implementation of the ban would mean that any player interested in signing for either club would not be able to play for them for a period of one year. This would no doubt affect Real’s pursuit of Marco Verratti, Paul Pogba, or any of the other big names they’d be looking to buy. It would also almost certainly mean that Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale do not leave Madrid over the next two transfer windows either.
For Atletico, it would mean that they would lose some of their bargaining power with players already at the club. There are reports that Antoine Griezmann’s contract negotiation terms include a €100 million buyout clause. If the ban is implemented, it would almost certainly mean that this buyout clause is lowered.
As no appeals process has been officially launched yet, it is difficult to ascertain how this will affect either team immediately. Barcelona have shown that it is possible to mitigate the effects of such a ban through careful recruitment and planning, as well as a clever timing of administrative processes. Fans of both Madrid clubs would hope that their clubs also exercise the same street-smartness as Barcelona did when similar treatment was meted out a year ago.
