FiFA fines West Ham United £71 000

Tomiwa Babalola

The world football governing body, FIFA, has sanctioned Senegal and West Ham United striker, Diafra Sakho for not appearing for his country during the 2015 African Cup of Nations in Equitorial Guinea.

Fifa also fined the English Premier League side, West Ham United £71 000 for not granting the Senegalese  permission when his country called him for national assignment at the  ongoing AFCON championship.

"The Senegalese FA was informed by West Ham United that Sakho was prevented from playing and travelling by plane due to injury and thus he did not join the Senegal team," Fifa said.

"On 25 January 2015, the player took part in an official match for his club. Senegal were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations 2015 on 27 January 2015."

Fifa ruled that West Ham and Sakho violated their regulations on players' status and subsequently imposed the fine and the reprimand.

League One (third tier) side Bristol City said in a statement on their website (www.bcfc.co.uk): "The club is disappointed with the penalty handed down by the Fifa Disciplinary Committee and is considering its options."

Sakho, who helped his side progress to the next stage of the FA cup after scoring the only goal in his side's victory over Bristol City cited back injury when he received a call-up from his country.

A West Ham club statement said: "The club and the player have received the decision and will now be focusing their concentration on the game against Manchester United on Sunday."supersport