FIFA block Barthez move

FIFA has refused to allow Manchester United FC goalkeeper Fabien Barthez to move to Olympique de Marseille on loan, a spokesman for world football's governing body said on Thursday.

Special dispensation
The French side had applied for special dispensation for a nine-month loan, to begin on 31 October, for the 32-year-old French international, who has fallen out of favour with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Marseille were eager to sign Barthez as second-choice goalkeeper Cédric Carasso will be sidelined for up to six months after suffering a serious knee injury.

'Request rejected'
However, the FIFA spokesman said that the application had been rejected. The decision by the players' committee of world soccer's ruling body was made "on the basis of the transfer regulations which say transfers can only be registered during the transfer window," which opens again in January. "The committee looked at the case and rejected the request," added the spokesman.

First-team football
Barthez, a key member of the France side that won the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2000™, is yet to play a first-team match for United this season, and needs regular football if he is to earn a place in Jacques Santini's squad for UEFA EURO 2004™. Marseille have announced that they intend to appeal against the FIFA ruling.

Month-long absence
Elsewhere, TSV 1860 München midfield player Daniel Baier will be out of action for at least four weeks after picking up a foot injury in his club's surprise elimination from the DFB-Pokal at the hands of TSV Alemannia 1900 Aachen on Wednesday night.