MACCLESFIELD Town have had their bid to bring David Smith to the club scuppered by FIFA red tape.

The former Stockport midfielder, who was on loan with the Silkmen last year, had been hoping to clinch a move back to the north west in the transfer windown.

However, his signing for Irish team Drogheda has put paid to any chances of moving to the Moss Rose because of FIFA rules.

'FIFA rules state that you cannot move in and out of a country within the same season,' a club spokesman told Macclesfield's official club website.

'As David signed for Drogheda this term the rules are that he will not be able to leave Irish Football until the end of the season.

'The deal is not completely dead and we will have to have another look at it over the summer unless we can manage anything this season. David is currently speaking to the PFA to see if there is any way around this ruling.'

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