Hibs go to FIFA over international clearance for striker Steven Pinau!

Last updated : 22 August 2008 By Steve Forbes



Hibs have today revealed that they have approached governing body FIFA over the Steven Pinau transfer saga.

The Hibees have been waiting for over two weeks for international clearance to arrive from the Italian FA to allow the French forward to pull on a green and white shirt.

Mixu Paatelainen was hopeful that the 20-year-old former
Monaco striker would play some part in last week's 3-2 win over Falkirk, but the paperwork failed to arrive.

Pinau has signed for the Hibees on a one year loan deal from Serie A side
Genoa, but Paatelainen has become increasingly frustrated with not being able to play the player and has now asked world governing body FIFA to step in.

"Normally you can get it done in a day, although some countries seem to act quicker than others," he said.

"We got the paperwork for Joe Keenan through from Australia in a matter of days, for instance. The SFA have been asking the Italians to get it sorted out on our behalf but, unfortunately, it has not happened.

"We have done everything we can and there's no problem as far as we can see so I don't know why Steve's clearance hasn't come through.

"But now the matter has been put into the hands of Fifa who will hopefully put some pressure on to get it all resolved as quickly as possible."

It now looks unlikely that Pinau will feature at the Tulloch stadium for tomorrow's clash with Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

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