Zinedine Zidane Responds to Decision to Uphold Real Madrid's Transfer Ban Ahead of Osasuna Clash

Published on: 09 September 2016

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has slammed the decision taken by FIFA to hand the European champions a year-longtransfer ban earlier this week, reportedESPN.


Real and theircity rivals Atletico had their respectiveappeals against the initial bans rejected by football's governing body on Thursday, with the decision coming as both clubs have breachedrules governing the transfer and registration of players aged under 18.

Zidane, while speaking in his pre-match news conference ahead of the game against Osasuna on Saturday, insisted he couldn't fathom why the sentence stood:"I don't understand the punishment, my children were born here, have lived here all their lives and it is absurd that they can't play football.


"I'm annoyed that it's happened and I hope it can be fixed quickly."


However, the Frenchman was quick to state that his side were primarily looking to win La Liga this season, and backed his current crop of players to do so:"I'm very happy with the squad, they're happy here, and if we have to be two or three years with this team, no problem.


"We want to win everything but the league is the most important competition, because there are 38 games and you have to win almost every game.


"Last year we lost by one point despite winning 12 straight games at the end."


Zidane announced that Cristiano Ronaldo should make his first appearance of the season in the game after getting injured in the final of Euro 2016, while Karim Benzema should play a part, though Keylor Navas is injured.


Marcelo, Casemiro and James Rodriguez will all be rested after international travels in the week.

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Zidane: "@Cristiano is fit and will play against Osasuna."

READ: https://t.co/abbk9C2O3N#RMLiga #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Nt6Gs2E50z

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