The blow is tough for Olympique Lyonnais, who saw the arrival of Saïd Benrahma collapse due to an error by West Ham even though an agreement had been reached between the two clubs.
There was ultimately not a seventh and final recruit at Olympique Lyonnais. Very active throughout the winter transfer window, OL, which had completed the transfer of Orel Mangala after having already signed Malick Fofana, Gift Orban, Adryelson, Lucas Perri and Nemanja Matic, thought they had completed the arrival of Said Benrahma.
The Rhone club had in fact reached an agreement at the last minute with West Ham on the basis of a paying loan of 5 million euros with an option to purchase 12 million euros at the end of the season. But, the Lyonnais finally had to become disillusioned. The fault of the Hammers, who did not inform the TMS, the FIFA transfer software, before the fateful hour, preventing the approval of his transfer. Enough to provoke the anger of the Lyon camp.
“This February 2, Olympique Lyonnais deeply regrets the failure of the transfer of Saïd Benrahma, for reasons beyond its control, and questions the behavior of West Ham which failed to finalize the required administrative procedures despite all agreements concluded »regretted the Rhone club in a press release.
OL denounces “incomprehensible behavior”
“Olympique Lyonnais was delighted to welcome Saïd Benrahma to Lyon this Thursday to finalize his transfer from West Ham. The two clubs had signed a temporary transfer agreement, and Olympique Lyonnais had obtained approval from the DNCG to allow the transfer to take place smoothly and transparently, Lyon said in its press release. However, at the start of the evening, while Olympique Lyonnais had entered all the administrative data on the dedicated FIFA platform (FIFA TMS), West Ham had never launched the slightest technical procedure on its part, despite the repeated reminders from OL and continuous mutual telephone communication”, let the Gones know.
“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 closing time, continued the Lyon club. Olympique Lyonnais deeply regrets this situation and this decision, demonstrating a profound lack of respect on the part of West Ham towards the Institution and the player. The club reserves the right to undertake all appropriate procedures necessary to validate the transaction at a later date, and to hold West Ham responsible if necessary. »
