Guilty, say FIFA - but West Ham escape serious punishment

  • by Staff Writer
  • Wednesday, 4th February 2015

FIFA have upheld a complaint from the Senegalese Football Association regarding Diafra Sakho's appearance for West Ham at Bristol City ten days ago.

However football's governing body ignored requests to remove the Hammers from this year's FA Cup competition by applying a token fine instead.

West Ham have been fined CHF100,000 (approximately £71,000) as a result of the club's decision to field Sakho as a second half substitute in the 4th round FA Cup tie at Bristol City on 25 January.

Senegal argued that as the player was considered match fit whilst they were still involved in the African Cup of Nations, he should not have been eligible to play for his club.

West Ham countered that argument by insisting that Sakho was unable to fly hence the reason he travelled to Bristol by car, whilst the rest of the squad flew from Stanstead.

However FIFA agreed with Senegal, fining the Hammers for violating Article 5, Annexe 1 of their regulations.

"Diafra Sakho was called up by the Senegalese Football Association on 18 December to play for Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations, as well as to attend the training camp in Morocco," read FIFA's statement.

"The Senegalese FA was informed by West Ham United that Sakho was prevented from playing and travelling by plane due to injury and thus he did not join the Senegal team.

"On 25 January, the player took part in an official match for his club West Ham United. Senegal were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations 2015 on 27 January.

"In view of the above and in accordance with art. 6 par. 1 of Annexe 1 of the FIFA Regulations, disciplinary proceedings were opened against the player and the club for a potential violation of Annexe 1 of the Regulations.

"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has found the club and the player to have violated art. 5 of Annexe 1 of the Regulations in relation to the match played by Sakho on 25 January 2015.

"The club has been fined CHF100,000 in accordance with the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and issued with a reprimand, while the player has been sanctioned with a reprimand."

West Ham - who have insisted throughout they had followed the rules correctly - are yet to comment on the news.

* Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.



More News