Magpies lose N'Zogbia case

Newcastle have been ordered to pay a fee, if they want to keep Charles N'Zogbia.

The young winger was lured to St James' Park from Le Havre in August but the transfer angered the French side.

N'Zogbia was bounded to Le Havre until 2006 on an education contract but Newcastle swooped as the teenager was not tied to a professional deal.

As a compensation package had not been agreed, Le Havre initially took their case to Fifa but world football's governing body ratified the switch.

Le Havre then took the issue to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the hope of gaining some form of financial recompense from Newcastle.

In the meantime, N'Zogbia made his debut for The Magpies as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers last month, prior to Graeme Souness' first match in charge.

But, if Newcastle wish to keep the exciting wide man, they must stump up a transfer fee after the Court of Arbitration for Sport sided with Le Havre.

"The player was not free of any deal when he signed with another club and his transfer authorisation, even given temporarily by Fifa, can not match the rules stated by them," explained the court.

Le Havre are thankful the court found in their favour as they feel it strikes a blow for French clubs who educate young footballers and then lose them for nothing.

A club statement read: "It is beyond doubt that the Court of Arbitration for Sport stated that HAC was the victim.

"We can hope that beyond HAC, the education clubs of French football, which is known as being outstanding, can now be protected from looting from football's stronger clubs on a financial level."