West Ham are looking to host a pre-season game with Lyon to commemorate Marc-Vivien Foe after Manchester City turned down a request from the late player’s advisers to organise the game.
Foe died after collapsing when playing for Cameroon in the Confederations Cup 10 days ago.
He was still under contract to City after signing on a year-long loan from Lyon last season and Kevin Keegan had offered him a permanent deal after the French club agreed to release the midfielder on a free transfer.
It was expected that the Blues would stage a game to raise money for Foe’s wife and three children.
But after Lyon enquired about playing the first game in City’s new £120m Eastlands stadium on August 6 they were told licensing red-tape made it impossible.
While the Blues are still looking at ways of honouring Foe’s memory, Upton Park now seems the most likely venue for a game to pay tribute to a player who also spent a season playing for the Hammers.
A source close to Foe said: « Manchester City said it was impossible to organise the game before the start of the season, but the feeling is that it is important to stage the match as quickly as possible while memories of Marco are still fresh in people’s minds.
« A proposal has now been put to West Ham and they have said they will do everything they can to arrange the game. »
A verdict on the cause of death is expected to be announced tomorrow.
City fans have already started a memorial appeal to raise money for the youth football plans Foe had in place in Cameroon and donations can be sent to PO Box 2038, Watford WD25 7XZ.
By Simon Mullock
