Fifa blocks registration of Hatem Ben Arfa with Nice

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 ending a loan spell with Hull City and terminating his Newcastle United contract.

Fifa's transfer regulations prevent a player from playing for more than two clubs in the same 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 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 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 pulled the plug on 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. 

Culled from ...BBCSport