FIFA ban fails to divert Simeone's attention
Despite Atletico Madrid's transfer ban, Diego Simeone is focused solely on playing matters at the Vicente Calderon.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7pxKhJfBuP8xTUjshbJngY.jpg)
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says on-field matters are all that concern him following the club's two-window transfer ban.
Both Atletico and rivals Real Madrid were handed the sanctions by FIFA's Disciplinary Committee on Thursday after being found to have breached regulations "relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18".
Barcelona received a similar punishment in April 2014 and, like the Spanish champions, Atletico and Madrid vowed to appeal against the ban that prohibits the registering of players during the next two complete windows.
As the league leaders prepare for Sunday's visit to Las Palmas, Simeone told reporters: "The club will appeal and they have a week to handle that.
"I just focus on tomorrow's game. I will not get worn down by other situations in January because several things can happen on appeal."
Atletico travel to Gran Canaria off the back of three consecutive La Liga wins, with Antoine Griezmann's form in particular maintaining the leaders' title ambitions.
With the Frenchman boasting nine goals in his last 10 outings, Griezmann has ensured himself a regular place in Simeone's plans despite plenty of competition up front.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"Our plan is just to focus on ourselves and find what suits us best for each match," Simeone added. "No other thoughts, just keep regularly improving and that is our aim.
"We have young players growing, and that makes the team progress. Griezmann adapts to different players - he has been fine with [Mario] Mandzukic, Fernando [Torres], Jackson [Martinez] or [Luciano] Vietto.
"Due to their pace, Antoine and Luciano can play in a similar way. Jackson is more aerial, Luciano is less selfish in front of goal... Griezmann has responded with all the guys who he has played with.
"When he arrived, he almost always played on the left but I always saw that he needs to play with total freedom. He has great physical strength and he knows where he can hurt opponents.
"He has many virtues, speed, heading, shooting - he is a very complete player and he has added consistency."
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 5: Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool congratulates Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after the 4-0 victory during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 5, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q3ie7X2vDDiU7X6C9HVRK7-840-80.jpg)
‘The pure simplicity of the way Slot has managed the squad is probably the biggest thing I could say about him. It’s not broken, so let’s get on with it’: Liverpool legend full of admiration for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Anfield
![CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 02: Wales captain Ryan Giggs shakes the hand of manager John Toshack after being substituted on his last International appearance for his country during the Euro 2008 Group D Qualifying Match between Wales and Czech Republic at the Millennium Stadium on June 2, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by (Stu Forster/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ooQ9oNmgvfUUG8TBUhn6BK-840-80.jpg)
‘I trained at Spurs and thought they’d give me a chance. But I received a letter thanking me but saying they didn’t think I was good enough – I was gutted’: How Tottenham missed out on signing Wales legend John Toshack