Real Madrid transfer ban: Zinedine Zidane labels Fifa decision 'absurd' but believes it will be 'resolved next week'

Real Madrid's four transfers of Zidane's sons were partly at faul for the one-year transfer ban handed to the club this week

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane (Getty Images)

Zinedine Zidane has labelled Real Madrid’s transfer ban “absurd” after the signings of his four sons were investigated by Fifa, resulting in the La Liga club being hit with a player registration embargo that runs until the summer of 2017.

Real have been banned from registering any new signings made this summer or during next January’s transfer window, although they are free to sign players this month up until the 1 February deadline.

However, Real believe they have substantial grounds to appeal, with the case of Zidane’s four sons set to be used in their case to Fifa’s appeals committee and, if necessary, the Court of Arbitration for Sport [Cas].

All four of Zidane’s sons, who are on Real’s academy books, have Spanish citizenship through their mother, Véronique. Real believe that this meets one of the exception allowed in Article 19 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players regarding international moves for players under the age of 18.

Speaking in a press conference on Saturday ahead of Real’s La Liga clash with Sporting Gijon on Sunday, Zidane said: "It seems absurd because I've been here in Madrid my whole life with my family and kids.

Zinedine Zidane spoke to the media ahead of Real Madrid's clash with Sporting Gijon (Getty Images)

"Everything's going to be resolved and what's important is to find out what's happened.

"I'm sure that next week we won't be talking about it anymore."

However, Zidane appeared supremely confident that Real would be successful with their appeal, and hinted that case could go through as early as next week, meaning Real would be active in the transfer window this summer if successful.

"I feel a little annoyed, there are things that are very difficult to accept and which are absurd but I can't let it affect me,” he added.

"Next week everything is going to be resolved. It doesn't make any sense. It's an error. What's important now is to talk about the football."

Despite the turbulent week, Zidane wants his side to build on his impressive debut as manager after defeating Deportivo la Coruna 5-0 last weekend having replaced Rafa Benitez as head coach, and called on his players to remain focused on matters on the pitch even if there’s distracting factors off it.

Zidane said: "We have to be focused (against Sporting) because we're aware that facing us are an important team, who know how to play and who are going to fight. We must start strongly and be focused on what we've been working on throughout the week."

Real take on Sporting at home on Sunday with kick-off at 3pm.