Fifa wrangle clouds Hoolahan future
Coca-Cola Championship clubs QPR and Norwich City are vying for Irish international winger Wes Hoolahan – but the player may not be able to move until the dispute between Blackpool, Livingston and Fifa is sorted out.
Hoolahan became one of the hottest prospects in the Coca-Cola Championship after a fine debut season in the division for Blackpool.
Norwich are favourites to land the 26-year-old Dubliner, but his future remains clouded by the nature of his move from Livingston to Blackpool 12 months ago.
An initial impasse was decided in Blackpool’s favour by Fifa last August, but the governing body has yet to rule on the amount of compensation – if any – due to Livingston.
And until that is resolved, Blackpool may not be able to cash in on a player who has been valued at £500,000.
Former Livingston director Maurice Smith said: “The final decision on whether any compensation should be paid by Blackpool to Livingston over and above the sum that they have already paid <£75,000> is still with Fifa.
“My understanding is that until Fifa come to a conclusion Blackpool can’t sell Hoolahan unless they settle something with Livingston, so it’s not as clear cut as a typical transfer.
“What they could do is go to Livingston and say we’re selling Wes Hoolahan and you’ll get x per cent or x thousand pounds if you drop the case.”
