Real Madrid had its two-window transfer ban reduced to one by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the club had announced.
Madrid, along with city rival Atletico, was hit with bans in January 2016 after FIFA's Disciplinary Committee found it to be in breach of regulations "relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18". Spanish champion Barcelona was hit with a similar sanction in 2014.
An appeal to FIFA failed in September, prompting Madrid to take its claim to CAS. Despite CAS ruling partially in its favour, Madrid released a statement in which it outlined its 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."
The two-window ban had been suspended while the investigation continued but Madrid was 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 champion able to strengthen its squad when the window opens at the end of the current season, although it will be inactive in January.
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 has yet to announce the CAS verdict on its case.
Madrid's ruling could have wide-ranging implications for a number of its 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, it may now sanction his exit in June 2017.
In terms of acquisitions, Madrid is likely to ramp up its interest in Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has often spoken of his desire to play for the European champion.
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