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Fifa probe Real Madrid over underage signings

Real Madrid director of institutional relations Emilio Butragueno has insisted the European champions will collaborate with Fifa over any investigation into their recruiting of players under the age of 18.

Published: 26 January 2015 16:43 CET
Fifa probe Real Madrid over underage signings
Real Madrid football team on January 24th 2015. Photo:Cristina Quicler/AFP

Madrid sports daily AS reported on Monday that football's governing body had requested information from Real on any foreign national players under the age of 18 registered in 22 youth teams with which Real Madrid have agreements.

"Firstly, we are in agreement with FIFA on this matter," said Buragueno at the unveiling of Brazilian midfielder Lucas Silva as a Madrid player on Monday.

"We are continuing to collaborate with them in everything they ask of us. We have peace of mind with the procedures at Real Madrid."

Barcelona are currently serving a one-year, two transfer window, ban on signing players handed down by FIFA due to irregularities in the signing of non-Spanish minors between 2009 and 2013.

Madrid beat off competition from around Europe to seal the signature of 16-year-old Norwegian teen prodigy Martin Odegaard last week from Stromsgodset.

However, Odegaard's move is not likely to fall foul of FIFA's rules as European players can move freely from the age of 16 as long as certain educational criteria are fulfilled.

Whilst Odegaard is expected to play out the rest of the season with Madrid's reserve side, Real Madrid Castilla, under the orders of French legend Zinedine Zidane, Silva insisted he is ready to be called upon immediately by boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The 21-year-old sealed a deal worth a reported €14 million ($15.8 million, £10.5 million) on Friday and arrives fresh from winning the Brazilian championship for the second consecutive year with Cruzeiro.

"I have had a week of pre-season training with Cruzeiro and I have done a lot of physical work," he said.

"This afternoon I am going to train with the first team to try and adapt as soon as possible."

The current Fifa investigation centres on two Venezuelan players, Manuel Godoy and Fernando Macías, who signed for Real Madrid when they were 12 and 14 respectively, according to AS. 

Real Madrid parted company with Godoy in 2013 after suspecting his signing could lead to problems with Fifa and ended their relationship with Macías at the end of last season. 

AS also reported that Real Madrid was not the only Spanish football club to be investigated by Fifa for underage signings, Atlético Madrid, Valencia and Rayo Vallecano will also be scrutinized. 

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FEATURE

REMINDER: What are the new Covid restrictions in Spain’s Valencia region?

If you live in or are soon visiting Alicante, Valencia or Castellón, these are the new eased restrictions for the coastal region starting on Monday May 24th 2021.

Published: 24 May 2021 14:13 CEST
REMINDER: What are the new Covid restrictions in Spain's Valencia region?
Photo: Jose Jordán/AFP

The Comunidad Valenciana’s persistently low infection rate – currently 20 cases per 100,000 people over the past 14 days – has allowed regional authorities to ease coronavirus restrictions, some of the strictest in Spain since the start of the third wave in January.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re living in or visiting the Valencia region soon. 

Curfew

The curfew will remain in place in the region after May 24th but it will start later than previously, at 1am instead of midnight. That means that except for exceptional reasons, nobody can be outdoors from 1am to 6am. 

Valencian regional president Ximo Puig has stressed that if the epidemiological situation remains stable, the curfew – or toque de queda in Spanish – will be lifted as of June 7th.

Bars, cafés and restaurants

From Monday 24th, bars, restaurants and cafés can stay open until 12.30 am, one hour later than the previous closing time.

A capacity of 50 percent is allowed inside the premises and 100 percent on outdoor terraces. 

Sitting at the bar, smoking (including electronic cigarettes or hookahs) and dancing  indoors or outdoors are still prohibited.

Family and social gatherings

A limit of 10 people is established in public spaces both outdoors and indoors, except in the case of people who are living under the same roof. 

Inside homes and other private use spaces, the limit of 10 people also applies and only people from two households can gather.

Beaches and nature

The use of the mask is still mandatory when walking around on beaches, around swimming pools, lakes and other natural spaces.

However, as long as you can keep a distance of 1.5 metres with others, you will be allowed to take off your mask while sunbathing or sitting in one spot at the beach. 

If you’re going for a dip in the sea, you don’t have to wear a mask as it’s incompatible with swimming, whereas if you’re going for a stroll along the shore you do have to keep your mask on. 

Groups at the beach, swimming pool or in nature cannot exceed ten people.

Celebrations and events

The capacity is increased up to 75 percent for activities relating to celebrations, events or gatherings of a sporting, cultural or social nature, as well as for political rallies.

In churches and other places of worship it’s still important to abide by a safe distance of 1.5 metres between gatherers.

In enclosed spaces, a maximum of 3,000 people are allowed, while in open spaces, the limit is set at 4,000 people. 

In both cases, the capacity has to be separated into groups of 1,000 people each.

 In addition, eating and drinking will only be allowed in areas specially enabled for this purpose.

READ ALSO: 

How Spain’s Valencia region achieved one of Europe’s lowest infection rates

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