Wilfried Zaha sees FIFA block Premier League transfer as he's left to make major decision
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Wilfried Zaha has emerged as a target of Major League Soccer as red tape all but blocks a move to the Premier League. The ex-Crystal Palace talisman was in attendance at Selhurst Park last week for the Eagles' clash against Arsenal. That prompted speculation over a possible return to south London next month, following interest from his former team in signing the 32-year-old on loan during the summer window.
After leaving Palace at the end of his contract and eventually joining Galatasaray, Zaha moved on loan to Lyon for in his second season with the Turkish giants. The winger has been in and out of the Ligue 1 side's squad and featured for just 112 minutes.
Understandable another move is being pondered but FIFA rules provide additional difficulty. Players are permitted to register with three clubs over a season but allowed to only feature for two, which Zaha has already done. "Players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season. During this period, a player is only eligible to play official matches for two clubs," reads section of 5.4 of FIFA rules.
However, a caveat means that sides from the MLS, credited with interest in securing a deal for Zaha by Mail Online, can still act. Players are allowed to play for third side during a season if they move between clubs with overlapping domestic calendars, rather than concurrent ones.
Rule 5.4 adds: "As an exception to this rule, a player moving between two clubs belonging to associations with overlapping seasons (i.e. start of the season in summer/autumn as opposed to winter/spring) may be eligible to play in official matches for a third club during the relevant season, provided they have fully complied with their contractual obligations towards their previous clubs, and provided that the provisions relating to registration periods and the minimum length of a contract are respected.".
