Craven Cottage side face potential punishment over youngster signing.
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Fulham could face possible future transfer embargo after signing French youngster Ange-Freddy Plumain from Lens on a free transfer according to The Daily Star.
The Craven Cottage club have been threatened with legal action from the French club who insist that the 18-year-old, who signed for the London club earlier this week, still remained their player and had not been granted permission to hold talks with other clubs.
The Ligue 2 side released an official statement on their website yesterday claiming that Plumain was still under contract with the club and therefore Fulham have broken FIFA rules by making the signing.
It said: ‘English club Fulham recently reported the signing of Ange-Freddy Plumain,’
‘Racing Club de Lens is surprised to hear the information to the extent that the player still under contract, and had no authorization on a possible engagement.
The French team are also angry with the player who they believe is also in the violation of his contract after failing to show up at the club since July 8.
The statement added: ‘The player has been absent from his place of work since July 8, without a valid reason. A procedure has been initiated against the various parties concerned.’
Chelsea found themselves in similar situation with Lens when they signed Gael Kakuta in 2007 which resulted in the Stamford Bridge outfit being given a two-year transfer embargo and a four-month ban for the youngster.
The Blues appealed against the decision at the Court of Arbitration and the order was lifted with just £100,000 compensation paid to Lens. It is unlikely that the Stade Bollaert-Delelis side will take the matter to FIFA unless they have a watertight case due to this past experience.
The French U-16 international featured 22 times for Lens last season, netting an impressive 18 goals and the Paris-born midfielder is highly thought of in his native country.