Controversial French striker Nicolas Anelka was on Monday refused permission to join an Algerian soccer club on the grounds that he is too old.
The 35-year-old former Arsenal, Chelsea, Juventus and Real Madrid star was on the verge of joining Nasr Athletique d’Hussein-Dey but the move was blocked by the Algerian Football Federation.
Mahfoud Kerbadj, president of the Algerian professional football league, said: “The rules concerning foreign players being allowed to play in the Algerian league are clear. Only those aged under 27 and playing at an international level for their countries are allowed to sign up with our clubs.”
Anelka had been training with the Algerian club and had hoped to sign an 18-month contract with what would have been his 13th club.
The 69-capped forward’s most recent employers were Mumbai City in the Indian Super League.
Last March he was fired by English side West Bromwich Albion for “gross misconduct” after he made an alleged anti-Semitic gesture, known as a “quenelle”, as a goalscoring celebration.
