The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected an appeal by Marseille over the eligibility of their former midfielder Mathieu Flamini’s move to Arsenal.

Flamini, a product of Marseille’s youth team, refused to sign his first professional contract with his club, opting for a move to Arsenal in July 2004.

The French Federation refused to issue Flamini’s international certificate and the case was submitted to FIFA which authorised the transfer.

However, Marseille filed an appeal with CAS in an attempt to overturn FIFA’s ruling, and demanded Flamini be forced to return to France.

“The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed the appeal filed by Olympique de Marseille and has confirmed the authorisation granted by FIFA to Arsenal FC to register the player Mathieu Flamini,” the CAS said on their website.

“The CAS has also confirmed the training compensation of $480,000 allocated to Olympique de Marseille by FIFA.”