By Harry Harris, Football Correspondent
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April 15, 2010
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Aruna
Dindane has been allowed to play in the FA Cup final by his
parent-club Lens who have offered to waive their £4 million fee for
his 22nd game if he does not play in any other match this season.
However, Portsmouth have refused the offer, claiming that he must
also be allowed to participate in games leading up to the Wembley
final.
GettyImages
Aruna Dindane won't get to play at Wembley again.
Dindane, currently on loan at Pompey, has a clause in his loan
agreement stating that the club must pay £4 million if he plays
another game, but Lens have agreed to miss out on this payment as
they believe that playing in the showpiece event would boost their
chances of selling him in the summer.
The striker has been one of the most important players at
Fratton Park this season and impressed in the 2-0 semi-final defeat
of Tottenham, but Pompey want him to be match-fit if he is to play
in the final and are willing to let him miss out on the game in a
bid to strengthen their position over the player.
''The club [Lens] have now agreed to let him play in the final,
because they think it would be a good showpiece platform for him to
get a move,'' Pompey administrator Andrew Andronikou told
Soccernet. ''But Portsmouth's feeling is that he needs to
play in the other games leading up to the final and he needs to be
totally match-fit to play against Chelsea. I have made a last ditch
attempt to find some rational ground between us.
''We told Lens that this is our stance today, and basically it
is a 'take-it-or-leave-it' offer from us. We will see what happens
over the weekend, but I have so much to do and many more issues to
look after that I can't afford much more time on this one.
''We will see what happens and we really hope that Dindane can
play in the final. He deserves to, and he was one our best players
in the semi-final, but I've got to say that his chances are
decreasing.''
Dindane, himself, has talked of his desire to play in the final,
telling the Daily Star: "I grew up in France watching the
FA Cup final and to have the chance to play in one is a dream come
true. I only hope that dream will not be taken away."
