FIFA investigates West Ham over transfer record payment

World’s football governing body, FIFA, is probing the English side, West Ham for missing a £5.4million payment to Eintracht Frankfurt in relation to Sebastien Haller’s transfer.

The money was due to the Bundesliga side on May 15 but the Hammers failed to cough up and Frankfurt reported them to the governing body.

But a source close to the deal told SunSport the East Londoners are confident a payment will be made soon and the issue resolved.

The delay was not related to any financial problems brought on by coronavirus and was solely due to a contractual issue between the two clubs.

A Fifa spokesperson told SunSport: “We can confirm that we have received a claim from the German club Eintracht Frankfurt against the English club West Ham United.

“The matter is currently still being investigated and consequently we cannot provide any further comments.”

Fifa rules state: “Clubs are required to comply with their financial obligations towards players and other clubs as per the terms stipulated in the contracts signed with their professional players and in the transfer agreements.”

Although Fifa often considers transfer embargoes for severe matters of this nature, the small amount and the fact West Ham are not repeating offenders suggest such a punishment is a long way off.

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The Hammers splashed out a club-record £45million on Haller, 26, to bring him in last summer.

But after a promising start with three goals from his first three games, the Frenchman’s form has gone the same way as the club’s with the towering striker managing just four goals in 26 appearances since.