For their game against Real Betis last weekend, Spanish club, Atletico Madrid invited the club’s oldest season ticket holders to be the mascots. They were blindfolded and till they got to the pitch. Awesome gesture
Atletico Madrid advance to the UEFA Champions League final
For the second time in three seasons, Atletico Madrid are through to the UEFA Champions League final. Bayern Munich failed to overturn a first leg deficit as they were knocked out of the race by Diego Simeone-led defiant squad in a thrilling second leg encounter.
Although Bayern won 2-1, the Spanish giants beat Pep Guardiola’s men on away goals after it ended 2-2 on aggregate. The goals of the night were delivered by Xabi Alonso and Robert Lewandowski for Bayern and Antoine Griezmann for Atletico Madrid.
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Atletico Madrid react to transfer ban
Spanish club, Aletico Madrid have officially reacted to the transfer ban handed to them by FIFA today. Below is a statement from the club.
“Club Atletico de Madrid has received today a resolution of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee why we punishable by banning enlist players or foreign nationals during the next two periods procurement integrity and a fine 900,000 Swiss francs (about 820,000 euros). According to the notice issued by the international football body, the penalty is caused by the infringement of Articles 5, 9, 19 and 19a and Annexes 2 and 3 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.
“Our club does not agree with the sanction decision and examine all documents received for filing an appeal against the penalty.”
Atletico and Real Madrid banned from registering players
Spanish outfits, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have been banned by FIFA from registering players for two transfer windows for flouting rules on signing non-Spanish under-18 players. Atletico were fined 900,000 Swiss francs (623,248 pound) while Real picked 360,000 francs. The players featured in games between 2007 and 2014 for Atletico, and 2005 and 2014 for Real Madrid. Both clubs will not be able to participate in the next two transfer windows until July/August 2016 and January 2017.
“The two clubs were found to have violated several provisions concerning the international transfer and first registration of minor players.”
“FIFA works hard to protect the rights of players under the age of 18 — whether male or female, amateur or professional,”
“This is done through the enforcement of regulations prohibiting the international transfer of minors, or the first registration of minors in a country other than their own, except in specific circumstances.” a FIFA statement read.
Claudio Bravo a doubt for Barca's clash with Atletico
Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo is a doubt for Saturday’s Primera Division clash at Atletico Madrid after sustaining a calf injury. Bravo picked up the injury during training on Monday and the 32-year-old faces a battle to prove his fitness for the clash with Diego Simeone’s men.
A Barca statement on Tuesday read: “Analysis by FC Barcelona’s medical personnel has revealed that first-team goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has suffered a muscular injury to his right calf.
“The muscle in question is Bravo’s right soleus. He will be closely monitored over the coming days and his availability for this weekend’s match at Atletico de Madrid will be determined based on how the injury evolves.”
Bravo, who won the Copa America with Chile in July, started in Barcelona’s first two La Liga games and kept clean sheets. Should he fail to prove his fitness, Marc-Andre ter Stegen would make his La Liga debut for Barca. Ter Stegen, who joined from Borussia Monchengladbach last year, was Barca’s first-choice keeper for the Copa del Rey and Champions League last season.
Antoine Griezmann help Atletico Madrid grab their first win
Atletico Madrid got their first win of the season over newly promoted Las Palmas courtesy of Antoine Griezmann’s free kick. All eyes were on £25 million signing Jackson Martinez on his competitive debut for the club, but it was the familiar face of Griezmann who quickly took centre-stage at the Vicente Calderon.
He won the free-kick which led to the opening goal, his powerful effort taking a small deflection off a Las Palmas player and flummoxing goalkeeper Raul Lizoain on its way into the net to secure the 1-0 win.
Lucas Hernandez extends stay with Atletico Madrid
19year old Lucas Hernandez has signed a new contract that will keep him at Atletico Madrid until 2019.
The French centre-back joined Atleti’s youth set-up as an 11-year-old in 2007 and made just one appearance for the first team – as a late substitute in their 4-1 victory at Athletic Bilbao last season.
Lucas can also play at left-back and has represented his country at Under-19 level.
He had two years left on his previous deal, but has extended his stay with Diego Simeone’s men for an additional two years.
Atletico Signs Jackson Martinez
Atletico Madrid have confirmed the signing of Colombian international striker Jackson Martinez.
The club announced the deal for the former Porto man on Wednesday afternoon. The 28-year-old has agreed a four-year contract with Atletico after the Spanish club reportedly met his €35 million (£25 million) release clause.
Atletico sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero said on the club’s website: “We are very pleased with the agreement, because Jackson Martinez is an extraordinary striker, able to rapidly solve any attacking play inside the box.”
Martinez, capped 38 times by his country, signed for Porto from Mexican club Chiapas in 2012 and has gone on to score 92 goals in 133 appearances, helping the club in the league title in 2013 and the Super Cup in 2012 and 2013. He scored 13 goals in 24 Champions League matches.