Real Madrid news: Los Blancos have two-year transfer ban reduced to one meaning they can sign players next summer
REAL MADRID have had their two-window transfer ban cut, allowing the club to sign new players sooner than expected.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport says it partially upheld Madrid's appeal against FIFA, keeping the team barred from registering new players only in the January transfer period.
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But pleasingly for boss Zinedine Zidane, Madrid can now sign new players in the summer window next year.
FIFA had imposed a one-year transfer ban in January as punishment for breaching its rules on the international transfer and registration of players aged under-18.
But Madrid appealed, denying wrongdoing in signing young players from outside Spain who played in games since 2005.
The case involved the sons of current coach Zinedine Zidane, and concerned under-age players who participated in competitions with the clubs over various periods between 2005 and 2014.
City rivals Atletico Madrid were also hit with a ban.
A Real Madrid statement read: "The Court of Arbitration for Sports today announced to Real Madrid the award for partially estimating the appeal made by the club against the resolution of FIFA that imposed a penalty of prohibition of registration of players during two periods of signings, reducing it to one, the window corresponding to January 2017.
"This award highlights the unfairness of the penalty imposed by FIFA in its day, although the club regrets that the CAS has not had enough courage to repeal it entirely."
The change in the length of punishment could change Real's attitude to their out of favour want-away midfielder James Rodriguez.
They are currently digging their heels in over a player who has a huge £420million buy-out clause - but being able to buy again in the summer of 2017 will see them let him leave for less or even be flexible enough to allow him to go out on loan this January.
Real's initial £283,000 fine has been reduced to £194,000.