Fifa probes Webster's Wigan move

The 24-year-old hopes to use article 17 of Fifa's transfer rules, which now allows him to join a club outside Scotland if adequate notice is given.

A Fifa spokesman said the matter would be reviewed by its player status committee as a matter of priority.

But he was unable to say how long the matter would take to be resolved.

Webster has signed an agreement to join Wigan in a move that could set a legal precedent for the way transfers are conducted.

But he cannot train or be unveiled until Fifa gives the English Premiership club the go-ahead.

It has been a very complicated process, but this will be a unique transfer

Wigan Athletic chief executive Brenda Spencer

Latics chief executive Brenda Spencer said: "This is a new kind of Bosman.

"Andy is hoping to be the first player to move before the end of his contract, using the new Fifa rule."

Fifa now allows players in the third year of a four-year deal to join a club in another country.

Webster had to hand in his notice within 15 days of the end of the season to comply with the regulation.

The player handed in his notice at Hearts at the end of last season, although it is not clear whether he beat the deadline.

A Fifa tribunal would have to decide on a transfer fee, but the rule suggests that Hearts would only receive the player's annual wage by way of compensation, not the £2m transfer fee they want..

"We have had to deal extensively with legal departments and consultants who are experts in European player issues," said Spencer.

"But, hopefully, the matter will be concluded very soon. It has been a very complicated process, but this will be a unique transfer."

Webster was frozen out for the latter part of last season after refusing to extend his Hearts contract.

He has not played for the club since April and failed to report for the pre-season tour of Austria, despite being warned he would never play for Hearts again.

Hearts have held negotiations with the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association about Webster, who has one year left of his contract with the Scottish Premier League club.

Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City are also interested in Webster should the deal with Wigan fall through.

Taken from the BBC