Having announced the arrival of central defender Bondz N’Gala this afternoon, this evening Gillingham have issued a statement that N’Gala can’t play for the club this season.

As unbeknown to the EFL and Gillingham Football Club, FIFA, football’s governing body, modified their rules and regulations regarding player appearances and contracts for the 2016/17 season.

The new law lists National League sides as professional clubs; as a result, players are only permitted to make competitive appearances for a maximum of two teams they are contracted to during any one campaign.

As a result of defender Bondz N’Gala playing for both Barnet (Sky Bet League Two) and Eastleigh (National League) during the 2016/17 season, this unhelpful regulation means that he will not be able to play for Gillingham FC.

Club chairman Paul Scally and head coach Ady Pennock are both extremely disappointed by this outcome. However, the club were not made aware of this regulation, one that has also scuppered signings at other EFL clubs in the past 48 hours.