Share

Red tape ruins Diarra deal

London - Administrative red tape has scuppered West Ham United's plans to sign France international midfielder Lassana Diarra on a short-term deal till the end of the season, a frustrated Hammers manager Sam Allardyce has said.

"We have waited and we have negotiated for weeks to get the right deal and now we've got it, we find we can't get the right paperwork and the right clearance, so we have wasted his time and our time," he said following his team's 0-0 draw at Southampton on Wednesday.

"On the basis of the situation we're in right now he would have been a very crucial player for us between now and the end of the season."

Diarra has been without a club since leaving Lokomotiv Moscow in August and has not played in almost nine months.

The former Real Madrid player had been training with West Ham and the 29-year-old was keen to revive his career back in England where he previously played for Arsenal, Chelsea and Portsmouth.

"As soon as we get him fit he will be a very good addition to our squad," Allardyce told a news conference on Tuesday.

West Ham have been hit by a spate of injuries over the last few weeks and have slipped from fourth spot in late December to eighth in the table with just one win in their last eight league games.

Of fresh concern to the Hammers, who face West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday, is another injury suffered by striker Andy Carroll who aggravated a knee injury against Southampton but had to remain on the pitch because West Ham had used up all their substitutes.

"I just hope staying on hasn't made the injury any worse," said Allardyce whose side finished the match with 10 men after goalkeeper Adrian was sent off for handling outside his area.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2250 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE