Mehdi Merghem has been cleared to represent SC Bastia, ending weeks of uncertainty and dispute that had cast a shadow over one of the most closely watched transfers involving JS Kabylie this winter.
The Algerian midfielder is now eligible to play in Ligue 2 after receiving his International Transfer Certificate (ITC), a development confirmed on Friday by his representatives, AB Sport Management.
The announcement draws a line under a saga marked by conflicting positions, administrative delays and growing tension between the player’s camp and his former club.
In a statement, the agency said Merghem is free to make his debut for Bastia in the next round of league fixtures, signalling the conclusion of a case that had come to symbolise the complexity of player movement between Algeria and Europe.
For several weeks, the situation remained unresolved, despite repeated public explanations from all parties involved.
Merghem had formally asked to leave JS Kabylie during the winter transfer window, pointing to family considerations and a desire to return to France.
Discussions followed, and the midfielder was reported to have accepted financial compromises in order to facilitate the move.
A preliminary understanding was also reached with the Kabylie club’s management.
However, the transfer stalled as administrative hurdles emerged, with JS Kabylie insisting that the player remained bound by a valid contract.
The situation became more complicated when SC Bastia announced Merghem’s signing before the paperwork was finalised.
That decision placed the transfer in a legal grey zone and prompted widespread debate over the possible consequences.
Questions were raised about the risk of a unilateral termination, the likelihood of the Algerian Football Federation refusing to release the ITC, and the potential for the dispute to escalate to FIFA.
As the days passed, uncertainty grew, with neither side willing to concede ground.
The case highlighted the regulatory challenges that can arise when transfers are contested across borders, particularly when contractual interpretations differ between clubs and federations.
The deadlock was finally broken when FIFA authorised the release of the International Transfer Certificate.
That ruling effectively allowed Merghem to complete his move and aligned with the position of the player and SC Bastia, bringing the episode to a close.
View this post on Instagram
For Bastia, the decision clears the way for the midfielder to be integrated into the squad without restriction.
For JS Kabylie, it marks the end of a difficult chapter that had dominated headlines.
Above all, the resolution restores clarity to a situation that had become increasingly strained, ensuring that the focus can now return to matters on the pitch rather than off it.
