By Alan G
August 22 2006

Paul Jewell has berated the Football Association for causing a further delay in the ongoing transfer of Andy Webster from Heart of Midlothian.

The deal could be sealed in the next few days but could have been completed last week save for an administrative error by the FA.

 

They should have passed a file on the proposed deal to FIFA on August 10th for the game's governing body to rule on a compensation fee.

 

But when Latics contacted FA officials last Friday to check on the progress, they discovered the paperwork still hadn't been sent.

 

Jewell says the delay in the long-running saga is unacceptable.

 

"Our paperwork on the transfer was lodged on Thursday, August 10, but when we rang them last Friday, it was still sat on the FA's desk somewhere.” Said Jewell.

 

"The FA have shown a bit of incompetence there.

 

"Hopefully they will have sent it to FIFA yesterday morning, but it should have been done on August 10.

 

"It's very disappointing, a most unsatisfactory situation, and we're eight days behind schedule as a result.

 

"Presumably it wouldn't have happened if we were a big club, and I think it needs highlighting. The FA are always busy trying to put the game right, sendimg you letters about disrepute charges and misconduct hearings.

 

"Perhaps they should take a close look at themselves before starting to throw stones – people in glass houses and all that.

 

"My reading of the situation is once the papers get lodged with FIFA, it only needs a couple of days before FIFA get a tribunal set up.

 

"But unless the FA gets the papers lodged, then FIFA can't act."