French club Lyon has accused West Ham United of demonstrating a 'profound lack of respect' after the proposed transfer of Algerian international Saïd Benrahma collapsed. The Premier League side allegedly failed to carry out the necessary steps on FIFA's transfer matching system, preventing the deal from going through before the end of the January transfer window.
In a statement, Lyon expressed their frustration, stating, 'Following this incomprehensible behavior... the international transfer certificate could not be requested before closing time.' The club deeply regrets the situation and perceives it as a lack of respect towards both the institution and the player.
Lyon is resolute in their stance and has indicated that they reserve the right to pursue further action to validate the transaction at a later date. If necessary, they plan to hold West Ham responsible for the consequences of their actions.
West Ham, on the other hand, did not address Lyon's comments regarding the reasons for the failed transfer. However, a spokesperson for the English club confirmed that the deal was not completed in time according to an email sent to Reuters.
Transfer negotiations can often be complex and time-sensitive, requiring both clubs to follow strict procedures to ensure a smooth and timely transfer. The FIFA transfer matching system serves as a crucial tool in facilitating these transfers, documenting the various steps and processes involved.
While the specifics of West Ham's alleged failure to comply with the required steps on the transfer matching system remain unclear, Lyon's accusation of a lack of respect suggests that the French club believes West Ham did not prioritize or adequately address the situation.
The collapse of this transfer must be disappointing for all parties involved. Benrahma, who plays as an attacking midfielder/winger, has been a key player for Brentford in the English Championship and was undoubtedly looking forward to a move to Lyon to continue his development in a top European league.
It remains to be seen whether Lyon's threat of initiating procedures to validate the transaction will materialize. However, West Ham may face consequences if it is determined that they did not fulfill their obligations in the failed transfer.
Frustrations and disagreements are not uncommon in the world of football transfers, particularly when deals do not go as planned. Both Lyon and West Ham will likely hope to put this incident behind them and move forward, focusing on their respective campaigns.
