Yakin back tracking to Paris

Germain cancelled the player's contract following an argument which ensued due to a close season injury which Yakin picked up. PSG affirmed that it was a muscle strain and he should rest for up to four weeks whilst Yakin's Zurich-based doctor told him it's a severe groin injury and he needs to be operated on.

In going against his employer's wishes, Yakin, who joined the French league side earlier this month, had his €1.2m transfer deal cancelled.

But Peter Bozzetti, Yakin's friend and advisor, told Swiss daily newspaper Blick: 'So far we have not had anything in writing and so Hakan is flying back to France today.

'But we do not accept the notice and would want compensation (if the club do go ahead with this).'

World football's governing body FIFA reiterated on Wednesday that they have not been asked to intervene by either PSG or Basel and added that no formal notification of the cancellation of Yakin's contract has been made.

Basel coach Christian Gross said he would welcome Yakin back into his fold if the transfer is annulled. 'We would welcome him back with open arms,' Gross told the Neue Zurcher Zeitung.

On Tuesday, PSG blamed the player for not disclosing a hernia problem when he underwent a medical before signing with PSG on August 4.

'The player was not fit to play at the required level on the day he signed his contract,' said PSG. 'He (Yakin) has not respected the rules of our club.'

PSG coach Vahid Halilhodzic was quoted by daily Le Parisien as saying: 'It's impossible for him to come back here. There is no way.' The saga continues but all ATOGB really cares about is that he's not on the Basle pitch when the Republic take on Switzerland in less than two months' time.