Real Madrid's transfer ban reduced, but Spaniards claim CAS 'lack courage'

The La Liga giants were initially stung with a two-
window suspension from bringing in fresh faces,
but have seen that sanction cut to one on appeal
Real Madrid have had their two-window transfer
ban reduced to one by the Court of Arbitration for
Sport, the club have announced.
Madrid, along with city rivals Atletico, were hit
with bans in January 2016 after FIFA's
Disciplinary Committee found them to be in breach
of regulations "relating to the international transfer
and registration of players under the age of 18".
Spanish champions Barcelona were hit with a
similar sanction in 2014.
An appeal to FIFA failed in September, prompting
Madrid to take their claim to CAS.
The two-window ban had been suspended while
the investigation continued but Madrid were facing
up to the prospect of not being able to register
new players for the entirety of 2017.
That punishment has now been halved with the
European champions able to strengthen their
squad when the window opens at the end of the
current season, although they will be inactive in
January.
Despite CAS ruling partially in their favour, Madrid
released a statement in which they outlined their
displeasure at the verdict and that initially
delivered by FIFA.
The statement read: "The Court of Arbitration for
Sport (CAS) has today informed Real Madrid CF of
their decision by which they have partially upheld
the appeal lodged by the club against the FIFA
resolution which imposed a sanction forbidding the
signing of players for two transfer windows,
reducing said sanction to just one period,
corresponding to the January 2017 transfer
window.
"The decision highlights the injustice of the original
ban imposed by FIFA, although the club regrets
that the CAS lacked the courage to revoke the
ruling entirely."
In explaining their decision, a CAS statement read:
"The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has
issued its decision in the arbitration between Real
Madrid and FIFA.
"The Spanish club's appeal was partially
accepted. Therefore, the decision of the FIFA
Appeals Board (FIFA) is cancelled and replaced by
this CAS decision in which the following elements
have been modified: Real Madrid are prohibited
from registering new players, both nationally and
internationally, during a full transfer period (initially
two periods); Real Madrid must pay a fine of
CHF240,000 (initially CHF 360,000) (£225,000,
initially £337,000)."
The CAS statement added: "In summary, the sole
arbitrator determined that certain offences alleged
by FIFA could be confirmed, but not all.
"Given that the violations committed by Real
Madrid were less serious and fewer than the FIFA
judicial authorities had affirmed, the sole arbitrator
found that the sanctions imposed on Real Madrid
had to be reduced."
FIFA's investigation concerned players aged
under 18 who played in competitions
for Atletico between 2007 and 2014, and Madrid
from 2005-2014.
Atletico have yet to announce the CAS verdict on
their case.
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Madrid's ruling could have wide-ranging
implications for a number of their players and
those at other clubs.
James Rodriguez has already stated he may look
to leave the club due to a lack of playing time and,
while Madrid may be unwilling to lose the
Colombia forward in January, they may now
sanction his exit in June 2017.
In terms of acquisitions, Madrid are likely to ramp
up their interest in Borussia Dortmund
striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has
often spoken of his desire to play for the European
champions.