Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has revealed that his club will appeal their transfer ban handed out by FIFA on Thursday.
Along with capital rivals Real Madrid, Atletico have been banned from signing new players in the next two transfer windows after breaking rules in relation to the registration of players under the age of 18.
Atletico will launch an appeal, according to Cerezo, but the Atleti president has insisted that regardless of the outcome, his club still have the ability to challenge for the major honours in European football.
"The truth is that for us it has been a surprise. We are convinced that we have to appeal the sanction and we will do it for sure," Cerezo told Goal.com.
"I don't know if we can sign in the summer, because I do not know how the rules are, but there will be an appeal so let's see. However, we have a superb, very young team, which will continue fighting for the same things - to get titles.
"Although the sanction is complicated, difficult and unfair, we will continue working as we have done so far. I have to tell the fans to be calm, that nothing happens, that we are in a good sporting condition and that we have to wait to see if the appeal progresses."
Atletico have already signed Augusto Fernandez from Celta Vigo this month, while Matias Kranevitter has linked up with the squad from River Plate.
Matt Law
