FIFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against West Ham United and their Senegal striker Diafra Sakho after he did not go to the African Nations Cup claiming a back injury but played in the FA Cup at Bristol City. A FIFA statement issued on Monday read: "Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against the player Diafra Sakho and the club West Ham United for a potential violation of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players." West Ham believe they will be vindicated in the dispute which began when the Premier League club said he could not travel to the tournament in Equatorial Guinea due to injury. Senegal then made an official complaint to soccer's world governing body about him playing in the FA Cup fourth round for West Ham when he came off the bench to score in their 1-0 win at Bristol City last weekend. Senegal, knocked out of the Nations Cup on Tuesday, remain angry that their officials were unable to examine Sakho themselves because West Ham said he was not fit enough to fly. West Ham, however, have denied any wrongdoing with co-owner David Sullivan saying the club acted solely on the advice of leading medical professionals. He said: "Any FIFA hearing will vindicate us, we have done nothing untoward." Sakho was left out of West Ham's squad for this weekend's league match with manager Sam Allardyce explaining before the game at Liverpool: "It is not conducive for us to be putting him on the field until it is resolved, sadly. (For more sports news andupdates, followAhramOnlineSports on Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebookatAhramOnlineSports.) http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/122030.aspx
