French side Lyon’s FIFA loophole plan cannot impact West Ham ahead of the huge Europa League quarter-final clash.
West Ham were drawn to face the Ligue 1 side in the quarter-finals of the Europa League after beating Sevilla 2-1 on aggregate in the last 16.
Lyon meanwhile saw off Porto by the same aggregate score to set up the West Ham clash.
The first leg is at the London Stadium after the international break on April 7th with the match in Lyon taking place a week later.
Whoever wins out of West Ham and Lyon will face either Barcelona or Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-final.
Lyon are a historic club and another mouthwatering tie is in prospect.
Any West Ham fans who followed the group stages closely will know Lyon were the team who secured the most points with 16 from their six group stage matches -five wins and a draw.
But Lyon are currently 10th in the 20 team Ligue 1 and are under intense pressure to win the Europa League in order to qualify for the Champions League.
Former Hammer Joe Cole, who who knows all about Lyon having had a spell at French side Lille, says West Ham should not fear their next opponents (BT Sport).
But now reports in France claim Lyon are planning to use a FIFA loophole to make signings before the West Ham clash.
As reported by Hammers News earlier this month, FIFA has confirmed a one-month window – open until the day of the first West Ham vs Lyon clash on April 7th – will allow clubs to sign foreign players from clubs in Ukraine and Russia as a result of Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
Particularly given the lack of options at David Moyes’s disposal, the uncertainty over Jarrod Bowen’s injury and Michail Antonio’s lack of goals.
Now it seems Lyon are planning to use the FIFA loophole to make signings before that window closes including former Ajax star Neres (Foot Mercato and Get French Football News).
“Foot Mercato report this afternoon that Lyon are looking into signing a player from the Ukrainian league, with French clubs now allowed to complete one transfer from the country in the wake of the Russian invasion,” Get French Football News states.
“Among the names who have been shortlisted, Les Gones are looking at former Ajax man David Neres. The Brazilian left the Dutch side for Shakhtar Donetsk in the winter transfer window and has yet to appear for the team.
“At the outbreak of war, he left the country for Romania by bus, before flying back to his native country. No concrete contact has been made between the parties involved, although Lyon were already interested in the 25-year-old last summer.
“The winger would be a particularly welcome arrival for Lyon given their middling form of late, as they find themselves in 10th place following their draw to Reims at the weekend.”
But don’t fret West Ham fans because Lyon’s FIFA loophole plan cannot impact the Hammers ahead of the huge Europa League quarter-final clash.
FIFA is allowing clubs to use the new window to sign a maximum of two players before April 7th.
It seems any players Lyon do sign would not be able to play in the Europa League clash against West Ham, though.
Because the 25-man squads submitted for the Europa League last 16 stage had to be named by February 2nd.
And in FIFA’s statements there is no mention of any amendments to the rules surrounding UEFA player registration for what remains of European competition this season.
Players signed and registered before the February 2nd deadline would be allowed to play regardless of whether they had already played in the Europa League for another club.
But there is no mention of an adjustment to registration rules and so Lyon’s alleged transfer plans will have no impact on the meeting with West Ham.