Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid banned from registering players during next two transfer windows due to 'irregularities'

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have suffered a catastrophic blow as the Spanish duo have been banned from signing players during the next two transfer windows.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have been hit with a two-window transfer ban due to 'irregularities'

The two clubs have been hit with the same sanction which saw Barcelona receive a transfer embargo due to irregularities over signing 'minors'.

Football's governing body FIFA have stated that only players over the age of 18 can move clubs unless the individual meets one of three criteria:

'Under 18s can move to a club in a different country if their parents move there for non-footballing reasons, if they are from another nation within the European Union or European Economic Area and aged between 16 and 18, or if they live within 100km of the club.' 

Manchester United's hopes of signing Gareth Bale appear to have diminished due to Real's transfer ban

Atletico have also been hit with a £620,000 fine, while Real have been fined £250,000.

A FIFA statement read: 'The two clubs were found to have violated several provisions concerning the international transfer and first registration of minor players as well as other relevant provisions with regard to the registration and participation of certain players in competitions.

'Additionally, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have been fined CHF 900,000 and CHF 360,000 respectively, while both clubs have been issued with a reprimand and given 90 days in which to regularise the situation of all minor players concerned.'

Barcelona were hit with a transfer window ban for the same reason — but still signed Arda Turan from Atletico

The Catalan giants also purchased Aleix Vidal but were not able to register the duo until January of this year

Real Madrid released a statement on Thursday evening confirming they will appeal the ban, considering all statements 'absolutely inappropriate'. 

Thursday's announcement comes after FIFA punished Barcelona with a year-long ban in April 2014 for the transfer of players under the age of 18. 

Barca appealed to both FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the ruling but ultimately lost both bids. However, with the ban being suspended while the appeals were ongoing Barca were able to sign six players, including Luis Suarez, in the summer of 2014. 

Barcelona purchased Arda Turan from Atletico Madrid and Sevilla's Aleix Vidal in the summer despite receiving a transfer embargo but were unable to register the duo until the start of January.

FIFA refused to reveal which player forced their organisation into banning Barcelona from making transfers but youth players such as Japanese prospect Takefusa Kubo had to return home.

Takefusa Kubo (pictured in action against Liverpool in 2013) had to return to Japan due to Barcelona's ban

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone may decide to leave the Vicente Calderon after the transfer ban

Manchester United target Cristiano Ronaldo may have to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu following the ban

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid may now decide to splash the cash before the end of the month as their two window ban is scheduled to start in the summer.

A FIFA spokesperson confirmed to that Real and Atletico would be able to sign new players during their bans, but would not be able to register them.

The spokesperson said: 'The ban does not prevent the clubs from signing contracts with new players, as long as the players are not being registered to play for the club.'

The sanctions against the Madrid clubs follow investigations initially conducted by FIFA's transfer matching system officials and then by FIFA's disciplinary committee.

The FIFA statement added: 'The investigations concerned minor players who were involved and participated in competitions with the clubs over various periods between 2007 and 2014 (Atletico Madrid) and between 2005 and 2014 (Real Madrid).

David de Gea was minutes away from joining Real last summer before a technical fault stopped the move

Eden Hazard was said to be on Real's shortlist, while Diego Costa had been linked with a move back to Atletico

Their ban could have huge implications on the rest of Europe and will come as a major boost to Spanish rivals Barcelona.

Star duo Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have been linked with moves to Manchester United, are unlikely to be allowed to leave the Santiago Bernabeu as Real will be unable to sign a replacement.

Barcelona will now face one less competitor in the race to sign Paul Pogba following Real Madrid's ban, while Eden Hazard had also been linked with a move to the Spanish capital.

The transfer ban may also push Diego Simeone towards the Premier League with both Chelsea and Manchester United said to be considering a move for the Argentine tactician.

Diego Costa's chances of sealing a move back to Atletico Madrid in the summer are also now over.

Atletico are currently top of La Liga with 44 points, while Real Madrid are four points behind in third.

Tottenham and England striker Harry Kane has emerged as a shock target for Real Madrid in recent weeks

The transfer ban will come as a welcome surprise to Barcelona manager Luis Enrique

Barca signed Luis Suarez from Liverpool in July 2014 as their ban was suspended after launching an appeal