FIFA launch investigation into West Ham's failure to sell Benrahma and Fornals

FIFA are investigating why West Ham failed to sell Said Benrahma and Pablo Fornals on deadline day after Lyon and Real Betis accused the English club of botching the paperwork.

Lyon were all set to have Benrahma sign his contract live on television when the £15million deal dramatically broke down.

That embarrassment led to the French club’s explosive statement in which they said West Ham showed ‘a deep lack of respect’ towards them and the player who had completed his medical in France during the day.

West Ham manager David Moyes responded to that accusation at his Friday morning press conference, saying: ‘It’s a big word to use before we get a chance to show exactly what happened or didn’t happen.’ On whether Benrahma would still be willing to play for him again, Moyes added: ‘I would expect so.’

Betis were less incendiary as they have suggested they still expect their £6.8m signing of Fornals to be ratified because it was a ‘computer problem’ on West Ham's part.

Both Lyon and Betis are now in contact with FIFA, football’s world governing body who are looking into the doomed deals which livened up an otherwise subdued deadline day.

Conspiracists were theorising on Friday that West Ham purposefully delayed the paperwork as it became painfully obvious during their 1-1 draw with Bournemouth that they lacked a left winger.

Yet club insiders strongly deny they would ever stoop to such behaviour with one source saying they simply ran out of time with the Benrahma deal.

Fornals arrived at the London Stadium with the team ahead of Thursday’s fixture and was due to be involved until it became clear that he was on the verge of signing for Betis.