French club Lyon remains hopeful of signing Algeria winger Saïd Benrahma from Premier League West Ham, despite the deal falling through at the end of Thursday night’s transfer window for administrative reasons.
Having appealed to FIFA, Lyon said soccer’s governing body
has accepted the required international transfer certificate.
“I’ve just received a message from FIFA” that the move has
likely been accepted, Lyon’s general director Laurent Prud’Homme said Friday at
a news conference. “Our efforts are paying off. The FFF (French Football
Federation) has made a request with the English federation, which has seven
days to accept.”
The two federations must validate the transfer for it to go
through.
In a statement overnight, Lyon accused West Ham of being
disrespectful for not entering information online after the move collapsed due
to computer-related admin issues.
Lyon said the London-based club had not done any of the
required technical procedures on FIFA’s designated platform, TMS — a system for
international player transfers — despite repeated requests from Lyon to do so.
“In the absence of this reciprocal action on the part of the
English club and following this incomprehensible behavior, raising questions,
the international transfer certificate could not be requested before closure
(of the transfer market),” Lyon said. “Lyon deeply regrets this situation and
this decision, which shows a profound lack of respect on the part of West Ham
toward the institution (club) and the player.”
The 28-year-old Benrahma joined West Ham in 2020 and has
scored 24 goals in 146 appearances.
Struggling Lyon is 16th in the French league and hosts
Marseille on Sunday. -AP
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