Valladolid launch Bakari appeal

Real Valladolid have appealed against Fifa's decision to veto their transfer of striker Dagui Bakari from French side Lens.

Valladolid agreed a deal with their French counterparts to take Bakari on loan for the rest of the season last week.

Although outside of the transfer window, the Spanish FA (RFEF) have a rule which permits their clubs to sign a replacement for any player who is injured for a period of five months or more.

This is the case for Valladolid whose top scorer Ariza Makukula was ruled out for the remainder of the season after tearing cruciate knee ligaments in late January.

Accordingly the Spaniards moved for Bakari and were given the green light by both the RFEF and the French Football Federation (FFF).

However, Fifa have refused to validate the transfer insisting that no deal can be struck outside the transfer window.

Valladolid plan to use the example of Celta Vigo last season who successfully managed to bring in Egyptian striker Mido from Ajax after a serious injury to Sebastian Mendez.

If their appeal is rejected then Bakari will have no choice but to return to Lens, but the Spaniards are hopeful that, given their arguments and the support of the FFF, world football's governing body will relent.