Transfer Talk : Boum2

Lyon livid at Boumsong snub
Saturday 26 January, 2008

Juventus’ decision to keep hold of Jean-Alain Boumsong for a little longer infuriated Lyon. “This is repugnant and totally stupid.”

The defender was already in France to complete the transfer to Olympique Lyonnais when he received the call to bring him back to Italy for next week’s Coppa Italia match with Inter.

“This is repugnant,” snapped general manager Marino Faccioli in French newspaper L’Equipe.

“The agreement had been reached and we sent a private plane to Turin to get the player. We accepted that Boumsong would play the first leg of the Coppa Italia in exchange for having him for the derby with St Etienne on Sunday.

“Now Juve want him for the second leg next week. This is totally stupid. In 30 years of my career I have never seen anything like it. I am astonished.”

The Bianconeri were all ready to part with Boumsong, who has disappointed in his 18 months at the club.

However, an injury crisis has ruled out Giorgio Chiellini, Jonathan Zebina and Jorge Andrade, while Domenico Criscito has gone out on loan to Genoa.

Lyon are furious with the setback, but Faccioli is confident the deal can still be done before the end of the January transfer window.

“I don’t think all this will wreck the deal, but it does create some delays because Juve want him to play and Boumsong does not.”

Lyon are in a particular hurry because Boumsong must register with UEFA for the Champions League squad before 11am on February 1.

The former Newcastle United defender was already in Lyon for the official presentation that has now been postponed.

“This is a great opportunity and will give me the chance to earn my place in the national team,” said Boumsong.

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