For breaching regulations over signing players that were considered as minors, Real Madrid have been handed a 1 year transfer ban by the FIFA.
This news will no doubt be a huge blow to the title aspirations of the Real in particular as they look to put their season back on track under new manager and club legend Zinedine Zidane.
While this news is heartbreaking for the Real Madrid faithful, Chelsea will be one of a few clubs that will be particularly happy with the sanction of the Spanish club. Why? Los Blancos were linked with the signature of Eden Hazard in the coming weeks.
However, thanks to the sanctions that have been imposed on them, it looks highly unlikely that the 10-time European Champions will be able to even attempt to lure the Belgian to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2016.
This season has been particularly brutal for Hazard. His uncharacteristic form, in keeping with the rest of the squad contributed to the clubs lack of results, lowly league position and the eventual departure of Jose Mourinho.
Even though his team-mates have found their way back to some sort of form after the departure of Jose, Hazard is still out of action nursing niggling injuries and unable to make an impression under Hiddink.
Rumours had steadily begun to gather pace that he would leave Stamford Bridge for Spanish shores at the end of this season.
But now, with FIFA’s transfer sanction in place, the Chelsea management can breathe a little easier.
That doesn’t mean to say that other clubs won’t come sniffing around Hazard either. But it’s the general consensus that Hazard and Real are the likeliest match.
Looking at the obvious comparison case of Barcelona and their transfer ban, it didn’t stop them from signing players, it merely delayed their plans.
Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan both had to sit on the sidelines until very recently, waiting to make their debuts for Barca.
It remains to be seen what ramifications these bans have on both Madrid clubs and the wider footballing world. With two Europes major teams unable to sign players, they are also likely to be even more reluctant to let anyone leave.
