BLACKBURN fans have slammed the club after their THIRD transfer within a year fell through due to admin blunders.
The Championship side did business late in the window as they sold star man Adam Wharton to Crystal Palace on Deadline Day for £22million.
They were then ready to sign Orlando City striker Duncan McGuire on loan until the end of the season.
But the deal was not completed before the window slammed shut as the correct documents were not submitted in time.
McGuire, 22, flew across the Atlantic to sign for Blackburn – but he is now in limbo as the club launches an appeal.
A Rovers statement explained the situation and what could be in store next for the player.
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It read: “Duncan McGuire’s proposed loan move to Blackburn from MLS side Orlando City has not been approved by the EFL to date due to the registration documents being submitted after the 11pm transfer deadline.
“All of the necessary signed paperwork had been completed prior to 10pm on Thursday February 1st, however due to an administrative error, the forms were not processed within the prescribed time.
“Detailed discussions with legal representatives and the relevant football authorities have taken place over the past few days to try to reach an urgent and positive resolution to the matter.
“The club’s lawyers have prepared the required papers and sent to the EFL Board, who will consider the case on Thursday February 8th.
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“Orlando City have allowed McGuire to remain in the UK, pending the EFL Board’s decision.
“He will return to the United States, where he will re-join his club ahead of the start of the 2024 MLS season, should his registration not be approved.
Crystal Palace seal £22.5m Adam Wharton transfer as he leaves Blackburn on deadline day
“Should the appeal be refused then Blackburn will attempt to reach a pre-contract agreement with Orlando City over the coming weeks to enable the player to officially join the club on a permanent basis when the 2024 summer transfer window opens.”
This is not the first time Blackburn have made an error when submitting the relevant transfer paperwork.
In January last year, forms to green light the signings of Lewis O’Brien from Nottingham Forest and Ethan Brierley from Rochdale were both not handed in before the deadline.
An appeal was then rejected by the EFL.
O’Brien was instead loaned out to DC United as their transfer window was still open and he never played for Blackburn.
As for Brierley, he also never pulled on the Rovers shirt and instead returned to Rochdale as their was still a place in the squad for him.
After Blackburn made the same mistake this year with McGuire, fans have hit out at club chiefs.
One said: “Absolutely embarrassing.”
Another added: “Whoever is responsible needs sacking. Plain and simple.”
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A third raged: “Honestly the worst run club in England – you all should be ashamed of yourselves.”
The 1994–95 Premier League winners currently sit 18th in the Championship.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
