Hatem Ben Arfa angry at Nice move hold-up by Fifa

Hatem Ben Arfa has 13 caps for France

Midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa has voiced his frustration at Fifa preventing Nice from registering him.

The 27-year-old joined the Ligue 1 club on an 18-month deal after his loan at Hull City ended and his Newcastle United contract was terminated.

The world governing body's transfer rules prevent a player from appearing for more than two clubs in one season.

"I do not understand why they would try to stop me from playing in France, my home," he said.

"Why always try to create problems where there are none?"

Ben Arfa played eight games for Hull and one for Newcastle's Under-21s earlier this season, with Fifa ruling the latter to be an official match.

"I have only one desire - to play again on the pitches of Ligue 1, to have fun with my team-mates, and to give pleasure to the fans who have welcomed me as ever," he added.

The France international, a free agent after his release from Newcastle, joined Nice on 5 January, but was not available for Saturday's 3-1 win against Lorient as he awaited international clearance.

The delay centred around article 5.3 of Fifa's regulations on the status and transfer of players, which states: "Players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season.

"During this period, the player is only eligible to play official matches for two clubs."

A statement on Nice's website confirmed the club had received a copy of correspondence sent by Fifa to the French Football Federation.

It said that contrary to the position of the Football Association in England, Fifa had classed the U21 match for Newcastle United as "official".

French league legal officials are to look at the case on Tuesday, the club said.

Hull cancelled the player's loan deal after he fell out of favour with manager Steve Bruce.

Newcastle confirmed the day before he joined Nice that both parties had reached an agreement to terminate his contract with immediate effect and by mutual consent.