Spain league defends both Madrid teams after FIFA bans

MADRID (AP) — The Spanish league has come out defending the local clubs and their history of protecting the rights of underage players.

After Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid were punished for allegedly breaching rules registering youngsters, the league criticized FIFA's "adequacy of the rules of 'protection'" of minor players, and said they do "not really protect the child."

The league says "Spanish football, through their clubs, supports the policy of protecting minors and the concern for their development and for their training."

It says "it will denounce to the appropriate bodies the current part of the (FIFA) regulation for the transfer of players under age which does not conform to the law of the protection of minors."