Friday 30 January 2015 23:18, UK
Former Hull and Newcastle forward Hatem Ben Arfa has been told he will not be able to play for Nice this season under FIFA regulations.
The Frenchman, who has turned out for both of those Premier League teams in competitive games this season, will not be able to play first-team football for Nice but can still train with the club.
However, Nice have appealed against the decision of the French Football League (LFP), who said they had no choice once FIFA had ruled that a match Ben Arfa played for a Newcastle development team counted as a competitive fixture.
Ben Arfa was loaned by Newcastle to Hull City until December and played in eight Premier League games for the Tigers.
FIFA regulations state: "Players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season. During this period, the player is only eligible to play official matches for two clubs."
French authorities had asked the governing body for clarification as his appearance for Newcastle came for their development side.
And the French league have now confirmed that FIFA classify U21 Professional Development League games as official.
"In application of this decision, the LFP has no other choice but to ban Hatem Ben Arfa from playing official matches with Nice until the end of the season," a LFP statement said.
The 27-year-old will now be ineligible to play for the next six months after joining Nice on an 18-month deal following his contract termination at St James’ Park.
However, Nice have released a statement which read: "An appeal was filed before the administrative court following the decision of the Judicial Committee of the LFP to approve the contract for Hatem Ben Arfa with OGC Nice but prohibit him from playing.
"The hearing should be heard early next week."
