Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid Transfer Ban, De Gea and Hazard Moves in Question

David De Gea may have to stay put at Manchester United for now. Credit: Reuters

FIFA is set to announce sanctions against clubs Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid for violating youth transfer regulations. This is in respect to accusations of signing players under age 18 from outside the European Union. The transfer sanctions could put the long suspected transfers of David De Gea, John Stones, Harry Kane and Eden Hazard on hold.

FIFA released a statement saying that: "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned Spanish clubs Atlético de Madrid and Real Madrid for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18. 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."

As a result of FIFA's ruling, Real Madrid and Atletico can sign players during the present transfer window, but will be banned from doing so in the summer transfer window and in January 2017's transfer window. Both teams will pay fines totaling 900,000 euros.

The teams have the right to appeal.

Manchester United Boss Insults Journalist

It's not certain what's more puzzling: Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal's apparent inability to turn his team into title contenders; or his increasingly bizarre post-match press conferences.

"We don't speak any more about Wayne Rooney," video shows the former coach of Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich telling journalists.

"You have criticized him; I don't. You," he says, pointing at an off-camera reporter.

As he gets up to leave he turns and says, "You too! Fat man! There," again pointing at the assembled hacks.

The comment is greeted with laughter from the members of the press, and one voice, apparently belonging to the singled-out reporter, replies, "Thank you!"

While his team may not be playing the expressive, attacking football that the storied club's fans came to expect under former boss Alex Ferguson, Van Gaal is doing his best to replicate it post-game.

The latest eruption came after the team again dropped points -- this time at strugglers Newcastle United, who equalized in the 90th minute to deny Van Gaal and Manchester United a win.

Rooney, who has endured an abysmal season, showed flickers of his old form, scoring two and generally putting in an invigorated performance.

The reaction is by no means an isolated case, with incidents throughout this season and last showing similar spikiness.

The Dutch master has offered to quit his post, bristled at questions about his relationship with assistant manager Ryan Giggs (sarcastically saying, "No, no, we have a very bad relationship,") lashed out at former United player Gary Neviile's analysis ("Gary Neville needs to pay attention to his words") and lambasted a journalist for questions about goalkeeper David de Gea ("You think you are smarter than I, but it is not like that.") [Source]

Bayern Munich's Pep Guardiola "Sorry" for Spreading Rumors About Possible Employers

Pep Guardiola may find himself managing a top English Premier League team by summer 2016.

While he has a job now, Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola plans a big move to the English Premier League this summer. Needless to say, the former Barcelona coach coming to town spells the unemployment line for somebody.

Allegations that his comments were offensive prompted Guardiola to apologize. "I'm sorry. It was not my intention to offend anybody. Normally in my career like a trainer, a football player I respect a lot my colleagues," he told the media at Bayern's training camp in Qatar.

Bayern Munich's stellar record makes Guardiola an attractive pick for Premier League teams flapping in the wind such as Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.