The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) are reportedly investigating the reason West Ham United failed to sell Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals on deadline day after Lyon and Real Betis blamed the Premier League club for their incompetence in paperwork.
Benrahma was about to sign a contract with Lyon live on television when the £15 million deal fell through unexpectedly.
Following their humiliation, the French side released an outraged statement in which they claimed that West Ham had shown them and the player—who had just finished his medical in France—”a profound lack of respect.”
During his Friday morning press conference, the Hammers manager David Moyes addressed that accusation by saying: “It’s a big word to use before we get a chance to show exactly what happened or didn’t happen.”
On whether Benrahma would still be willing to play for him again, Moyes added: “I would expect so.”
Betis on the other hand were less provocative as they stated that they still anticipate having their £6.8 million acquisition of Fornals approved because West Ham had a ‘computer problem.’
According to the Daily Mail, FIFA, the world football governing body, has been contacted by both Lyon and Betis. And is now investigating the doomed deals that brought a spark to an otherwise dull deadline day.
See Also: Lyon Condemns West Ham United For Their “Incomprehensible Behaviour”
On Friday, conspiracy theories abounded, with some suggesting that West Ham had deliberately postponed filing the paperwork until their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth. When their lack of a left winger became painfully apparent.
Club insiders, however, vehemently dispute that they would never resort to such actions. According to one source, they basically ran out of time with the Benrahma deal.
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