Whispers

Irons seek Sakho probe dismissal

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SakhoDiafra Sakho and West Ham face are now involved in  Fifa inquiry over his withdrawal from Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations squad after the governing body opening disciplinary proceedings for “a potential violation of regulations”.

However, within seconds of the proceeding getting underway ClaretandHugh received a statement from the club which said: “Diafra Sakho and West Ham United vigorously deny that they have acted in breach of FIFA regulations.

“They regard the proceedings as clearly unfounded and are requesting their dismissal. At this stage, neither the player nor the Club can make any further comments.”

However, the Hammers have all medical reports available and will presumably argue strongly these were all made available to the Senegal Federation.

They are also likely to make it clear that with the back injury making it impossible for the striker to fly to Africa for medical checks by Senegal staff they were invited to the UK instead but failed to show up.

Fifa rules say a player cannot appear for a club if he was meant to be on international duty, but West Ham “vigorously” deny any wrongdoing.

A Fifa spokesman said: “We can confirm that disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the player Diafra Sakho and the club West Ham United for a potential violation of the Fifa regulations on the status and transfer of players.”

He declined to give a likely time frame for the case, or potential penalties, should it find that the rules were breached.

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

3 comments

  • philtheiron says:

    Yes, that’s all very well but we havnt done anything wrong!

    Due to injury Sakho wasn’t included in the Senegal squad for the ACON. So he was free to play for West Ham.

  • HammerJeff says:

    Agreed!

  • conkerpot says:

    this whole thing could have been easily avoided. Sakho shouldn’t have been asked to play for us in the fa cup. Ok we might have had to play a replay at Upton park but at least we wouldn’t have been asking a player to compromise himself with his country. We wouldn’t have been in any danger of flouting the fifa rules. Sakho would have been fully rested and repaired and ready to come back against Liverpool. We already have a reputation because of the tevez saga. This was the clubs chance to prove that things have changed that we are a club that abides by the rules but once again we find ourselves courting scandal.

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