France's Ligue 1 have turned down an application to clear Hatem Ben Arfa to play for new club Nice this season.
The 27-year old playmaker joined Nice on a free transfer earlier this month following his release from Newcastle United which came in the wake of an unsuccessful loan spell with Hull City.
There were initial worries regarding Ben Arfa's eligibility to play in France this term, as he had already represented two top flight clubs, and the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) have now confirmed that the former Lyon and Marseille man will have to wait until the 2015/16 season before he can step officially step out with Nice.
"In application of this decision the LFP has no other choice but to ban Hatem Ben Arfa from playing official matches with Nice until the end of the season," read the LFP statement.
Ben Arfa, whose only appearance for Newcastle this term was actually in the U21s but still deemed official, will be able to train with Nice while also being eligible to play in friendlies.
