The big news: Real breathe a sigh of relief

Spanish club Real Madrid have had their ban on signing players reduced to one transfer window after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), reported BBC. Real had originally been barred from signing players for two windows by Fifa. They will not be able to sign new players in January but will now be able to make signings next summer. The club have also had their fine reduced from 360,000 Swiss francs (£282,000) to Sfr 240,000 (£188,000).

Both Real and Atletico Madrid were banned after they were found to be breaking the rules over the transfer of foreign players under the age of 18. In a statement on their official website, Real said, “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.” No information has been given regarding Atletico’s appeal.

Other top stories

  1. Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy will miss three matches after the club’s appeal against his red card received in the Stoke City game was rejected. Vardy will have to sit out of Leicester’s next three Premier League games, but will be available for their FA Cup third-round tie at Everton on January 7.
  2. Everton midfielder Ross Barkley apologised to Jordan Henderson for his tackle during Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Goodison Park, said the Reds captain. “It was pretty late, but I know Ross well. He’s a good lad,” Henderson said.
  3. Everton are optimistic of getting Romelu Lukaku to sign a new long-term deal that would make him the highest-paid player in the club’s history. His current contract is worth around £75,000 a week, but reports said the new deal would see him earn around £100,000 a week.
  4. Former Borussia Dortmund second-team coach and Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner has turned down an offer to manage Bundesliga side Wolfsburg. Huddersfield, who have won their last three games, are fourth in the Championship, 10 points behind leaders Newcastle.  
  5. The defending I-League champions Bengaluru FC continued to rope in players for the upcoming I-League season. They have now signed Mandar Rao Desai, Sena Ralte, and Arindham Bhattacharya on loan. Earlier in the month, Bengaluru had roped in midfielders Harmanjot Khabra and Lenny Rodrigues, also on loan.
  6. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday removed its order to stay elections of the All India Football Federation, clearing all decks for incumbent Praful Patel to be re-elected as president of the national sports body. “Accordingly, the Annual General Body Meeting of the AIFF will be held as scheduled on December 21, 2016, as per the agenda circulated to the members,” an AIFF release said.
  7. According to The Guardian, Manchester United will extend José Mourinho’s contract as manager beyond the three-year period signed in the summer. The club are happy with the start he made and back him to be the man to bring a 21st league title. United are unbeaten in 10 games, winning seven.