FIFA have announced that Fulham have missed the deadline for paying the final £2.5million chunk of Steve Marlet's £11.5million transfer from Lyon - leaving the Cottagers facing a possible transfer embargo next month.
Football's world governing body confirmed the Londoners did not pay the instalment, originally due on December 14, by Monday's extended deadline.
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Fulham striker Steve Marlet
fee instalment not paid |
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FIFA said a letter received from Fulham did not contain a suitable explanation for the non-payment - so their Players' Status Committee will meet on February 19 to decide whether to impose an embargo.
Spokesman Andreas Herren said: "I understand from our legal department that the payment has not been made, nor have we received a plausible explanation why it hasn't been made.
"Correspondence has been received from Fulham which doesn't say a great deal.
"The case may now be forwarded to the Players' Status Committee, which deals with transfer disputes, who meet on February 19.
"The issue of a transfer embargo is a matter for the committee to decide."
Marlet, 28, moved from Lyon in August 2001 on a five-year contract with built-in pay rises worth up to £40,000-a-week by 2006.
Fulham are withholding payment because they are unhappy with the role Barcelona-based agents Sebastien and Pascal Boisseau played in negotiations.
The Cottagers have also refused to release £500,000 owed to the brothers and plan legal action to recover £500,000 already paid to them.
FIFA have made it clear that it is in Fulham's best interests to provide a "plausible explanation" for refusing to pay the last instalment before the meeting in four weeks' time.
"A transfer embargo is a measure to make sure outstanding debts are settled before new liabilities are undertaken," Herren added.
"It makes sure a club doesn't commit itself to further obligations before others have been satisfactorily resolved.
"The committee will take into account the entire file on the transfer, with statements from both clubs, in order to get a clear understanding of what made the situation occur.
"All aspects of the transfer will be discussed - so it is in the interests of the club to provide a plausible explanation.
"The committee will decide whether to impose an embargo, whether it will be with immediate effect and which transfers it would cover.
"If they decide to impose one, they will notify the Football Association, who will have to make sure the club follow their instructions."