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Ex-Fulham transfer target
John Carew |
Fulham have been ordered by FIFA to pay Valencia a "percentage" of the £7.5 million fee they agreed for John Carew - even though they never signed the giant forward.
The move broke down last January when the 6ft 5in Norwegian failed a medical after Valencia had accepted Fulham's offer.
But a row broke out over negotiations being subject to a satisfactory medical, which Carew failed due to an alleged condition known as `jumper's knee'.
The Spanish side launched legal action against the Londoners and FIFA have now told Mohamed Al Fayed's club they must fork out part of the £7.5million fee.
A Fulham statement read: "In January 2002, Fulham entered into negotiations regarding the transfer of John Carew from Valencia which, due to an unsatisfactory medical, did not go ahead.
"Legal action was taken by Valencia and litigation against Fulham was taken to (FIFA's) Players' Status Committee in Zurich.
"Fulham were today informed by the Football Association of the decision of FIFA over this action.
"FIFA ruled Fulham should pay a percentage of the proposed transfer fee to Valencia.
"The club is consulting with its legal experts and plans to appeal against this decision."