By Mark Baber
January 27 – The news that FIFA is in the process of gathering information and documentation regarding the signing of 51 underage players at Real Madrid has led to speculation that the club may face a transfer ban, similar to that imposed on Barcelona, as FIFA continues its effort to ensure the regulations regarding transfers of minors are firmly adhered to.
FIFA have confirmed that they are gathering data as part of their investigation and Real Madrid have confirmed that they have provided all the documentation requested by FIFA TMS GmbH, the body which oversees football transfers worldwide.
FIFA regulations to prevent the trafficking of minors only allow for the transfers of players of 18 or under from abroad under very limited circumstances, including the player’s family moving to the country for non-footballing reasons, transfers within the EU where the player is 16-18 years old or the player living close to a club on the other side of an international border.
The investigation of Real Madrid’s affairs initially centred on two young Venezuelan players, Manuel Godoy and Fernando Macias who have both subsequently left the club, but is also understood to be looking at the Madrid club’s extensive network of feeder clubs.
The investigation is being led by Kimberly Morris, head of integrity and compliance at FIFA Transfer Matching System AG who are mandated to investigate matters in relation to international transfers or first registrations of minors with clubs in a country of which they are not nationals.
According to FIFA regulations, “All parties in relation to transfers or first registrations of minors…are obliged to collaborate to establish the facts. In particular, they shall comply, upon reasonable notice, with requests for any documents, information or any other material of any nature held by the parties. In addition, the parties shall comply with the procurement and provision of documents, information or any other material…not held by the parties but which the parties are entitled to obtain. Non-compliance with these requests from FIFA TMS GmbH may lead to sanctions.”
Real Madrid has responded to reports of the investigation with a statement that they are in “strict adherence, without exceptions, to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, and is in complete agreement with such investigations being carried out to this end.”
According to the club, in 23 of the 51 player transfers under investigation by FIFA, the player involved was already registered to another Spanish club. It seems likely the relationship between Real Madrid and its feeder clubs will be a major focus of the investigation.