Hodgson hopes for Cousin ruling

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson believes Fifa may allow Daniel Cousin to join the club from Rangers.

The Gabon striker's £3 million move has been blocked because Fifa rules prevent a player from representing three clubs in the same season.

Cousin has already played for Lens and Rangers this season, but Fulham hope Cousin will be cleared because he only played 20 minutes as a substitute for Lens in a league game in August before he moved to Glasgow.

A Fifa spokesman said: "The outcome is still pending because the legal department have asked to see more documentation, especially from Fulham.

"They need more time to analyse everything and I don't think we will announce a verdict before Monday now."

Hodgson is hoping a meeting about player status later this month will clarify Cousin's position.

He said: "I'm still rather hopeful that the initial decision could be overturned because it is quite harsh that someone who has played only 20 minutes is regarded as having an extra club in the season.

"It's also quite harsh when a transfer has been agreed and everyone is happy with it. To send him back to a club is not the best of situations, especially Rangers where passions run high.

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