Computer says no – but Lyon claim FIFA says yes to Said Benrahma move
Stats Perform
February 2, 2024 23:23 MYT
February 2, 2024 23:23 MYT
Lyon are confident FIFA will authorise the loan signing of West Ham’s Said Benrahma after a deadline-day move appeared to have fallen through.
The 28-year-old underwent a medical in France on Thursday afternoon ahead of a proposed loan switch leading to a permanent move from the east Londoners this summer.
But the deal collapsed late on deadline day and Lyon accused West Ham of a “lack of respect” and “incomprehensible behaviour” in strongly-worded statement.
Laurent Prud'Homme a annoncé que la FIFA vient de valider la demande de certificat international de transfert pour Saïd Benrahma.
Retrouvez la conférence de presse en direct
— Olympique Lyonnais (@OL) February 2, 2024
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However, the Algeria international could yet move to Ligue 1 after the French side provided proof to FIFA that they had entered the requisite information in the transfer portal in time.
Lyon chief executive Laurent Prud’homme spoke to the media on Friday and received a text message about the Benrahma situation during the press conference.
“It seems that FIFA has just accepted the validation (in the transfer matching system) so right now our efforts are paying off,” he said.
“The French Federation has asked the Premier League to accept within seven days. It seems that our efforts are bearing fruit.”
FIFA is not only looking into that transfer but also Pablo Fornals’ failed move to Real Betis.
The LaLiga side claim a computer problem scuppered their bid to complete a £7million move for the Spanish midfielder.
Lyon have been collaborating with Betis as the clubs appeal to FIFA for the moves to be ratified.
Betis CEO Ramon Alarcon told Spanish reporters: “There was a last-minute problem with Fornals, we think it was a computer problem.
“Betis sent all the documents correctly and on time and it seems West Ham had a computer problem.
“It wasn’t just with Betis, it was with other deals. We hope that it gets resolved in the next few days.
“It was done on both sides. We imagine that with a computer error it can be resolved. We are working on it and we are optimistic.”
While the transfer deadline edged closer on Thursday night, West Ham were labouring to a 1-1 draw at home to Bournemouth, notably without a left winger.
Fornals was at the match, having initially been named on the bench before boss David Moyes had to change his plans.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Friday morning, Moyes said: “It looks like there have been some problems with the paperwork (for Benrahma) at the last minute.
“But I only learned about it when I came off the pitch later on last night.
“(Lack of respect) is a big word to use before we get a chance to show exactly what happened or didn’t happen.
“It’s something we’ve never had to deal with before and I’m an experienced manager. We’ll have to see.
“He’s suspended for this week so he’s not available at the moment. We’ll deal with it when we get back into a period where we can play him.”
Asked if Benrahma will be committed to the club, Moyes said: “I would expect so, yep.”
He added: “I think there is a chance the Pablo deal will be ratified. I can’t confirm if it will or not at the moment though.”