French club Sochaux have reported Newcastle United to FIFA for allegedly making an illegal approach for Modibo Maiga.
The Magpies have been in pursuit of the 23-year old Mali forward in recent times and it was believed that a £7million deal had been sorted after the player revealed his desire to join the club.
But Sochaux are unhappy with the way that Newcastle have gone about it and subsequently reported them to the sport's governing body.
"On Monday August 22, 2011, FC Sochaux-Montbeliard sent a referral to Fifa with the aim of obtaining assurances on the part of Newcastle United that they will stop their contacts with Modibo Maiga, who is under contract with FCSM until 2014," read a statement on the club's official website.
"This contact is in violation of Article 18 of the current international regulations.
"This measure comes after Sochaux demanded without success, in an official manner and on two occasions, that the English club put a stop to their actions."
