The English Football Association (FA) have written to FIFA in a bid to clear up confusion concerning the move of French international midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa to Nice.

"We don't consider U21 games as official matches," the FA said in letter to FIFA, in a bid to "clear all ambiguity" concerning Ben Arfa's case.

Ben Arfa was on loan at Hull City from Newcastle United during the first half of the season and FIFA have said he cannot sign for Nice because a player cannot appear for more than two clubs in the same season.

The 27-year-old playmaker's appearance for Newcastle's under-21 team on August 25, before moving on loan to Hull, was considered an official match by FIFA.

It means his proposed move to Nice cannot be rubber-stamped by the French Football Federation (FFF), effectively leaving him without a club until next season.

The FFF have written to FIFA asking for a "clear and firm" ruling for the sports' world governing body in the case.