FIFA has refused to allow Manchester United goalkeeper Fabien Barthez to move to Olympique Marseille on loan this month, a FIFA spokesman said tonight.
The decision was made "on the basis of the transfer regulations which say transfers can only be registered during the transfer window" which opens next in January.
Marseille, whose reserve goalkeeper Cedric Carasso is a long-term injury absentee, hoped they would be given a special dispensation to sign Barthez outside of the normal transfer window.
Barthez has fallen out of favour with United boss Alex Ferguson and has been told by France coach Jacques Santini that he must play regular first-team football if he is to be sure of his place in the Euro 2004 squad.