Hatem Ben Arfa’s Future in Limbo Over FIFA Regulations
French international Hatem Ben Arfa finds himself in a difficult position as his move to OGC Nice has hit a serious administrative snag. The French Football Federation (FFF) has blocked his registration and is now seeking clarification from FIFA.
🔒 The Issue: Three Clubs in One Season?
According to FIFA regulations, a player cannot play official matches for more than two clubs in the same season. Here’s Ben Arfa’s situation:
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✅ Played for Hull City (on loan from Newcastle) during the first half of the season.
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⚠️ Played for Newcastle U21s, which may count as a second club if deemed an official competition.
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❌ Now signed by OGC Nice, potentially making it a third club—which is not allowed.
📝 Nice’s Official Statement:
“OGC Nice hopes that this question will be quickly resolved and that sporting logic will prevail… At a time when there is a shared feeling of deploring the flight of talent, the club hopes to count on the support of national authorities to facilitate the return of an international player to France.”
🔄 Possible Outcomes:
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✅ If FIFA rules the Newcastle U21 match as non-official, Ben Arfa can play for Nice immediately.
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❌ If it is ruled official, Ben Arfa would either have to:
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Return to Newcastle (where he’s not in the plans), or
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Wait until next season to be eligible to play.
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⚽ What’s Next?
OGC Nice remains hopeful that “sporting logic” will prevail and that the return of a high-profile French player to Ligue 1 will be encouraged rather than blocked by bureaucracy.
For now, Ben Arfa’s return to competitive football hangs in the balance.
