Kante and Fenerbahce deal falls through: Details of TMS error and official statement
Turkish club Fenerbahçe issued an official statement offering a sincere apology to its vast fan base, announcing the failure of its last-minute attempts to finalize the signing of French star N'Golo Kanté, the midfielder for Saudi club Al-Ittihad. This announcement caused a major stir in Turkish and Saudi sporting circles, given the player's technical prowess and the high hopes that had been pinned on the transfer.
Details of the administrative error in the TMS system
The Turkish club explained in a statement published on the "X" platform that the main reason behind the collapse of the deal was a technical and administrative error on the part of the other party. The statement indicated that Fenerbahçe was close to finalizing a major swap deal involving N'Golo Kanté joining their ranks in exchange for Youssef En-Nesyri moving to Al-Ittihad. The club confirmed that it had completed all procedures on its end, including medical examinations and personal agreements with the players, and had uploaded the required documents to the International Transfer Matching System (TMS) on time.
The statement added: “Due to the other club entering incorrect information into the Transfer Matching System (TMS), our club was unable to complete the transfer within the specified registration period.” Despite the Turkish club's attempts to contact FIFA to request an exceptional extension and rectify the situation, Al-Ittihad's failure to complete the necessary procedures prevented the deal from being finalized.
Kante... the dream that vanished
Fenerbahçe's interest in signing N'Golo Kanté stems from the club's desire to bolster its squad with world-class players possessing experience in major tournaments. Kanté, a World Cup winner with France and a Champions League and Premier League champion with Chelsea and Leicester City, is considered one of the best defensive midfielders of the last decade. His arrival was expected to be a significant addition to the Turkish team's midfield, especially given their fierce competition for the Turkish league title and their participation in European competitions.
The importance of the TMS system and FIFA's strictness
This incident highlights the importance of FIFA's Transfer Matching System (TMS) to ensure transparency in international player transfers. The system is extremely strict regarding deadlines and the accuracy of entered data. Even a minor data entry error or a delay in uploading documents just minutes before the transfer window closes can lead to the collapse of multi-million dollar deals, as happened in the Kanté scenario. The system does not accept any modifications after the deadline without compelling reasons deemed acceptable by FIFA.
The impact of the failed deal and the team's future
Fenerbahçe's management expressed their full understanding of the fans' disappointment, affirming in their concluding statement that the club will work to restructure the team with the same determination and discipline. This administrative failure places additional pressure on the coaching staff and management to find alternatives or rely on the current players to achieve the season's objectives. Meanwhile, Kanté continues his career with Saudi club Al-Ittihad, where he is a key player in the team's lineup.
