Real Betis midfielder opens up about his sleepless nights and rollercoaster emotions while awaiting FIFA’s verdict on his West Ham United departure saga.
In an interview with Betis’ club TV, relayed by Estadio Deportivo, Fornals recounts the tense period following the January transfer window closure. Betis believed they had secured his transfer from West Ham, only to face uncertainty when the deal hit a snag due to a computer glitch at the English club.
FIFA intervened to investigate the matter, delaying Fornals’ return to Spain and reuniting with former West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini. The midfielder admits to experiencing a whirlwind of emotions during this period, from bidding farewell to his teammates to anxiously refreshing Twitter for updates.
“It was a mix of emotions—sadness, excitement…,” Fornals reflects. “But that night, as the clock ticked past 11:00 p.m. British time, everything was hanging by a thread. We couldn’t sleep; we were glued to our phones, hoping for a resolution.”
Fortunately, FIFA eventually gave the green light, bringing an end to the uncertainty and allowing Fornals to focus on his new chapter with Betis. Despite the turbulent transition, he’s found joy on the pitch and is grateful that the ordeal ultimately had a positive outcome.
