Fifa give Adefemi the ok, for now

By Oluwashina Okeleji
BBC Sport, Lagos

Olubayo Adefemi played at the weekend but can only sign provisionally

Nigeria international defender Olubayo Adefemi has been given permission to play for Boulogne, in France.

But the decision from football's world governing body Fifa is only provisional.

The player has been at the centre of a complicated dispute involving a club in Austria - and before that was in a row with a team in Romania.

He made his debut for Boulogne last weekend, having signed a four-year contract with them in June.

But Austrian side SC Rheindorf Altach claim Adefemi was under contract to them until 2011.

Adefemi insisted that he was free to move to France because he had agreed a deal to move with the relegated Austrian club.

Altach deny any knowledge of such a deal, forcing the authorities to make a ruling.

Now Fifa has provisionally transferred the 24-year-old's registration to Boulogne.

Adefemi's agent and representative, Ibi Ajayi said that the decision was a vindication of the player's stand.

"Adefemi is relieved that this ordeal is over and he can now concentrate on his career both for club and country," Ajayi said.

But the Fifa judgement has yet to be ratified.

Adefemi is in Nigeria's squad for next month's crunch World Cup qualifier against Tunisia in Abuja.

He is to be joined at Boulogne by Bakary Soumare of Mali, who is set to sign for Boulogne from Chicago Fire in the United States MLS.