Ben Arfa banned from playing with Nice
PARIS (AP) - The French football league has confirmed that Hatem Ben Arfa won't be allowed to play for Nice this season.
Ben Arfa joined Nice this month but the French midfielder will have to wait until next season before making his debut after FIFA refused to give him clearance to play.
FIFA's decision is based on a rule stipulating that a player cannot appear for more than two clubs in the same season.
Ben Arfa joined Newcastle from Marseille in 2010 but fell out with former manager Alan Pardew, who dropped him from the first team squad. He played for Newcastle in an under-21 match in August before moving to Hull on loan.
Ben Arfa argued that the under-21 game should not count as an official match.
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