HBA move hits snag

From the BBC website...



Fifa has prevented Nice from registering new signing Hatem Ben Arfa.

Ben Arfa, 27, joined the Ligue 1 club on an 18-month deal after his loan at Hull City ended and his Newcastle United contract was terminated.

The world governing body's transfer rules prevent a player from appearing for more than two clubs in one season.

The midfielder played eight games for Hull and one for Newcastle's under-21s earlier this season, with Fifa ruling the latter to be an official match.


The France international, a free agent after his release from Newcastle, joined Nice on 5 January, but was not available for Saturday's 3-1 win against Lorient as he awaited international clearance.

The delay centred around article 5.3 of Fifa's regulations(external) on the status and transfer of players, which states: "Players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season.

"During this period, the player is only eligible to play official matches for two clubs."

A statement on Nice's website(external) confirmed the club had received a copy of correspondence sent by Fifa to the French Football Federation.

It said that contrary to the position of the Football Association in England, Fifa had classed the under-21 match for Newcastle United as "official".

The development leaves Ben Arfa, who has played for his country 13 times, in limbo.

Hull cancelled his loan deal after he fell out of favour with manager Steve Bruce.

Newcastle confirmed the day before he joined Nice that both parties had reached an agreement to terminate his contract with immediate effect and by mutual consent.

 

FIFA are talking bollocks, since when is the reserve league deemed an official Newcastle match. The FA have got it right( for once )
If I've read it correctly FIFA seem to think that our reserve team is a feeder team ( as real Madrid or Barcelona do in Spain), however, those teams play competitive matches in the division below La Liga.
I know we shouldn't worry as he's long gone from us but FIFA should think again. Could restraint of trade come into this, after all he's a free man now.

 

The only thing restraining him from plying his trade is his piss poor attitude, lack of fitness and weight issues. Long gone and good riddance. The guy is blowing his talent out of his arse.

 

Mike must be laughing his a** off. After "transferring" his manager he has now saved on HBA costs till the end of season. His best January sale ever. I am sure Hatem will use the next 6 months to work hard on his fitness

 

I do feel a touch sorry for him though. Counting the U21 match seems a bit harsh. I'm glad to see the back of him but he should be allowed to crack on with his career.

 

If FIFA decide to uphold this then it is ridiculous. I could understand if it was 3 teams in the same league but they already have the transfer window there to restrict player movement so I don't know why they need this restriction as well.

 

This restriction has been in place for a while now. Seems a tad harsh including the one under 21 game, but this is the game of fire you are playing with when you continue to fall out with every manager you have ever worked for. Pissing off two managers in one season looks to have been a very silly move on HBA's part - regardless of whether this decision is upheld or not.

 

Offer the lazy bugger a loan deal with us (or Hull) until the end of the season, but we only pay a fraction of his wage with Nice paying the rest. We get a player for next to nothing (MA will see this as great business), as by the look of it he can only play for us or Hull.

Although I think the ruling is pretty daft as, we are talking about a reserve game and a loan, not playing for 3 clubs as a perm transferred player.

 

**** that, the problem was never ability. It was fitness and disruption.

I think they can bend the rules on this one but then again, I suppose they may open the floodgates if they do make a special case. I was going to suggest they change the rules to allow players who get released to find a new club regardless of how many. But then these slimy owners would just find a way to exploit that loophole.

Actually looking at it from FIFA's point of view, they'd probably be wise to make him wait. I suppose Less Hope makes a fair point, don't **** off every manager you ever play for and you might not have the problem.

 

Something needs to be done about the amount of transfers going on but this is going too far, he played a reserve game for us, that was all.

 

I agree but I can see why FIFA would be reluctant to bend the rules on occasion, every club looks for every angle to get round the rules. Any weakness is pounced upon. I don't really care either way being honest, I'm just glad we have got rid.

 

His Problem was also that he got Pardewed.

 

Yeah that argument is looking a little weak these days with regard to Fatty Ben Afi isn't it??

 

From one of the reports I read Nice had a clause in his contract just in case FIFA did this and they could then cancel his contract without any penalty leaving HBA without any club's contract and stuck until the end of this season.

 

Be fairly surprising if they hadn't been aware, its probably a fair old outlay for them.

I'd worry for the club who gets him in the summer if he is left to his own devices. Maybe Nice will let him train or one of his old clubs. He'll need to or it'll be back to square 1 come pre season. Its a tricky one because of the precedent it may set.

I think he'll do well back in France. Been watching a bit of Ligue 1 and it is made for luxury players.