by Mark Bassey

FIFA have confirmed that an investigation has been opened into the Diafra Sakho issue, after Senegal reported West Ham to the world football governing body.

Sakho pulled out of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations citing a back problem, but scored the winner for the Hammers in their FA Cup clash against Bristol.

West Ham are scheduled to face West Brom next Saturday in the next round of the competition, but now face possible expulsion.

Article 6 of FIFA’s Disciplinary Measures, states: “The FIFA Players’ Status Committee shall…declare any match(es) in which the player took part to have been lost by the club concerned.

“Any points thus gained by the club in question shall be forfeited. Any match contested according to the cup system shall be regarded as having been won by the opposing team, irrespective of the score.”

West Ham have however issued an statement, insisting they have done nothing wrong.

“Diafra Sakho and West Ham United vigorously deny that they have acted in breach of Fifa regulations. They regard the proceedings as unfounded and are requesting their dismissal,” the Premier League club argued.