FIFA laws wrecked Real Madrid's Oliveira deal

AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani admits FIFA wrecked Real Madrid's hopes of signing Ricardo Oliveira yesterday.

The Rossoneri were seemingly willing to hand over their summer signing from Real Betis, but the move was just too complicated to complete so close to the transfer window's closure.

"It was a bit complex," noted Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani. "Real Madrid would have been his third club this season after already appearing for Milan and Sao Paulo."

Galliani was making reference to the FIFA rule which doesn't allow an individual to play for more than three clubs in one term.

Although Liverpool have successfully managed to get special dispensation to sign Javier Mascherano from West Ham for the same reason, Milan and Real didn't want to take any risks at such a late stage.