Ben Arfa ruled ineligible for Nice

30 January 2015 06:16

Hatem Ben Arfa cannot play for Nice until next season after it was ruled that he had played in competitive games for Hull and Newcastle already this campaign.

The French Football League (LFP) announced in a statement that the 27-year-old's appearance in a match for Newcastle's development side counted as a competitive fixture.

FIFA regulations state that "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."

The ruling means that Ben Arfa, who joined Nice in early January, will have to wait several months for his debut, although he is allowed to train with the club.

A statement on the LFP's official website said: "Following the request made by the FFF (French Football Federation) and LFP, the Single Judge of the Players' Status Committee of FIFA has communicated this Friday, January 30 decision.

"He felt that the matches played in England as part of the "U21 Professional Development League" should be considered as official matches within the meaning of Article 5-3 of the Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players of FIFA.

"Pursuant to this decision, the Legal Committee of the LFP, which met in emergency session this afternoon, has no choice but to prohibit Hatem Ben Arfa to participate in official meetings with the OGC Nice until the end of this season.

"However, pursuant to section 5-3 of the FIFA Rules and Regulations LFP 212 under which "a player may be registered with three successive clubs but can not play official matches for two clubs", the Legal Committee are able to proceed with the registration of Hatem Ben Arfa contract with OGC Nice as desired by the parties. The player will be able to train with OGC Nice in secure legal conditions."

Source: PA