According to explosive reports on Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, a transfer ban similar to the one Barcelona have been serving, has been delayed by FIFA for rivals Real Madrid for over a year despite evidence of irregularities for reasons unknown. It is rumoured that the Madrid giants along with City rivals Atletico Madrid are in line for a two season transfer ban for transfer irregularities.
Barcelona were handed a two-window transfer ban by FIFA after its Disciplinary Committee had found the Catalan club guilty of violating article 19 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players after a year-long investigation. The club was also fined 333,000 pounds.
Article 19 is specifically concerned with the protection of minors and prohibits international transfers of players under the age of 18.