L'OM fuel Flamini row

Marseille are to challenge Fifa's decision to allow Arsenal to field Mathieu Flamini.

The French midfielder's summer switch to Highbury has sparked controversy in his homeland over the ease with which he quit Marseille.

After coming through the academy ranks at Stade Velodrome, l'OM are adamant he should have signed his first professional contract with them.

But Flamini claimed l'OM showed no desire to keep him and he accepted the four-year offer from the Premiership champions.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger handed the 20-year-old his debut as a substitute against Everton on Sunday, after being given a temporary licence by Fifa.

Football's governing body insist Flamini was within his rights to sign for Arsenal and now want the French Football Federation to formally hand over the midfielder's registration to The Football Association.

"The player took advantage of an education within a French club but the player was not bound by a work convention," commented a Fifa spokesperson.

This decision has angered Marseille president Christophe Bouchet who is now taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Bouchet is determined to gain compensation for Flamini and is incredulous that Fifa allowed the youngster to make his Arsenal bow.

"The decision from Fifa ridicules all the rightful principles and even their own regulations," seethed Bouchet.

"This decision was taken by the legal department of Fifa but they cannot rule, however, on this type of question."