Adrien Silva loses appeal against Fifa decision to delay the midfielder’s switch from Sporting Lisbon

ADRIEN SILVA has failed with an attempt to gatecrash Claude Puel’s Leicester City squad to face Manchester City tomorrow.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport yesterday rejected the £22million midfielder’s urgent plea to be recognised as a ‘provisional,’ signing while he waits for his permanent transfer to the King Power to be rubber-stamped in January.

Silva had hoped he could persuade football’s Supreme Court to over-rule Fifa’s stubborn refusal to grant him an International Transfer Certificate – at least until his personal appeal is heard - paving the way for a possible shock place on the bench against Premier League pacesetters Manchester City. However CAS threw out the 28-year-old’s request for emergency measures to be applied, stating: “Although the Player’s initial request for interim relief has been rejected, the proceedings will continue and a final decision on the merits will be issued after a hearing, which is yet to be fixed.” As that is unlikely to take place before January, Silva remains in limbo more than three months after scoring for Sporting Lisbon against Vitoria Guimaraes in his last game way back on August 19.

Since then Silva's hopes of making Portugal’s world cup squad have taken a huge hit - all because the paperwork confirming his £22million transfer arrived 14 seconds after Fifa's extended deadline expired. FIFA has already rejected an FA appeal on behalf of Leicester, who argued they had sent the necessary documents on time, only to be thwarted when the FA’s computer failed to upload the details immediately.

It all means Silva still cannot train with the Foxes, although he can talk with them. Then-Leicester chief Craig Shakespeare said at the time of the failed transfer: “I’ve spoken to him. I feel for the lad.

"He’s not only so keen to come, but the deal was also agreed between the clubs, it is just the finalisation.

"It is World Cup year for the player and he is in limbo. He is a strong character and I am sure he’ll be fine.” Leicester have insisted they have clear evidence they submitted their paperworkBEFORE the summer transfer window closed even though it arrived at the FA 14 seconds AFTER the deadline.

From The Sun