Rangers frustrated as Fifa blocks Daniel Cousin move
Daniel Cousin must stay at Rangers for the rest of the season
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Friday, 29, Feb 2008 07:01
Daniel Cousin's £3 million transfer to Fulham will not go ahead, Fifa has ruled.
The Rangers defender was planning on the switch with his club's blessing and all parties wanted the move.
But because he played for French club Lens at the beginning of the season, starting once in the Intertoto Cup in July and coming on as a substitute against Bordeaux in the French league, the transfer cannot go ahead.
Cousin had moved from Lens to Rangers last summer for around £1 million.
Gers chief executive Martin Bain admitted the club had endured a "frustrating time" which had ended negatively.
He criticised Fifa for the length of time it took to reach its decision, admitting he was "disappointed" in the organisation.
Fifa rules state a player cannot appear for more than two teams in any given season and, though both Fulham and Gers' lawyers thought there were grounds for an appeal, has stuck to that line.
The news means Cousin must reconcile himself to remaining in Scotland for the remainder of the 2007/08 season.
"Obviously when I heard I had the opportunity to move to the Premier League and the offer was right both for myself and Rangers, it was difficult to turn down," he said.
"However, I made it clear all along that I have enjoyed my time at Rangers and I am more than happy to stay, fight for my place and help the manager and the rest of the squad compete for silverware this season."
Rangers are currently four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League.