The mysterious paperwork: A timeline of the David De Gea transfer fiasco
David De Gea is, for now, a Manchester United player. We think. Maybe.
The wantaway goalkeeper, so long rumoured to be on his way to Real Madrid this summer, seemed to be on the verge of his dream move Monday afternoon. A fee had been reached between the two clubs, and Keylor Navas was expected to move in the other direction.
Everything was completed. Everyone was happy.
And then everything went haywire.
Minutes after the transfer deadline in La Liga had come and gone, reports claimed that the two clubs had not filed the appropriate paperwork prior to the window slamming shut (12:00 a.m. CET).
Related: Report - Swap deal involving De Gea, Navas falls through after paperwork not filed in time
The football world went into a frenzy, with everyone and their mother chiming in on what could have possibly happened to scupper what seemed to be the lock of the century as far as transfers are concerned.
Here's a timeline of how the avalanche of information came down, and how Twitter - following along with every single major, and minor, detail - reacted to what can only be deemed a debacle of epic proportions.
The tweet that started it all
The documents did not arrive on time!!!!!! Presentation was ready. All agreed. But as it stands de Gea stays at MUFC!!
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 31, 2015
The skepticism
Am I the only one smelling something fishy?
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) August 31, 2015
As if anyone ACTUALLY believes La Liga wouldn't allow Madrid to get the De Gea deal over the line.
— Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) August 31, 2015
Real powerful institution in Spain, so this will show how powerful they are...
— Mark Ogden (@MOgdenTelegraph) August 31, 2015
The unbelievable: One minute late
Reports from Spain say #MUFC missed the transfer deadline by 1 minute to sell David de Gea to Real Madrid. Huge blow for Manchester United.
— World Soccer Talk (@worldsoccertalk) August 31, 2015
The questionable: Right on time?
So now @SkySports are saying the deal was completed at 24:00, but the LFP is unsure whether that falls within the accepted period.
— Maxi Rodriguez (@FutbolIntellect) August 31, 2015
The retort: We actually sent the paperwork
David De Gea - #mufc waiting for confirmation either way but adamant they have proof all their paperwork submitted to FIFA on time. #SSNHQ
— Bryan Swanson (@skysports_bryan) August 31, 2015
#MUFC's documents have a timestamp proving this from Fifa's TMS system - and Navas paperwork could have been completed Utd's side tomorrow
— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) August 31, 2015
The asinine: A technical glitch?
Now we are hearing that United did send the documents on time but in a format that couldn't be opened at the LFP. Windows 95?
— AS English (@English_AS) August 31, 2015
All this document in wrong format stuff is a bit odd and not entirely convincing, isn't it?
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) August 31, 2015
The latest: Let's sleep on it
La Liga says the documents did not arrive on time. Fifa will look at the case tomorrow. Both RM and United pushing for it to happen
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) August 31, 2015
... 2/2 ... Now comes down to basic question: can RM persuade LFP to register him despite late arrival? (I would guess so but don't know)
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) August 31, 2015
The Resolution: Madrid accepts defeat, but blames United
RM's statement does not confirm that they won't appeal but it does basically confirm (indirectly) that they wouldn't have grounds for appeal
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) September 1, 2015
@realmadrid blame @ManUtd for taking too long to provide details for entry into TMS, and claim they did everything they could
— Paul Kelso (@pkelso) September 1, 2015
Real Madrid: "In short, Real Madrid has done everything necessary, and at all times, to implement these two transfers."
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) September 1, 2015