FIFA probes Real Madrid over transfers of young players like Barca

Real Madrid are being investigated by FIFA as it tries to determine whether the Champions League winners have followed rules relating to the transfer of young players, Spanish newspaper AS has reported.

Officials at world football's governing body want to establish whether Real have breached article 19 of its regulations on the transfer of players.
 

The article prohibits the transfer of players under the age of 18 except in certain predetermined situations.

On Monday, a FIFA spokesperson told ESPN FC: "FIFA is currently gathering all the relevant information and documentation in order to be in a position to properly assess the matter. No formal disciplinary proceedings have been opened at this stage. No further information can be provided for the time-being."

AS reported that it has seen confidential FIFA documents on the investigation, which it said had come about as the result of an anonymous tip-off.

The paper said FIFA's investigation may have started over the cases of Venezuelan youngsters Manuel Godoy and Fernando Macias, who were brought to Madrid by Miguel Angel Coira, an Argentinean ex-footballer who runs a football school for young players in Madrid.

Real Madrid will "fully cooperate with everything FIFA asks," said Emilio Buitragueno, who heads up Real Madrid's institutional relations, on Monday.

"We are in agreement with FIFA about this matter and we will continue to collaborate with them. We are completely at ease over Real Madrid's direction," he said.

It reported that the governing body asked the Spanish Football Federation to see all documentation relating to underage players at clubs with which Real have agreements.