Nottingham Forest have lost an appeal against a decision to stop them signing Poland midfielder Kamil Grosicki on loan from West Bromwich Albion.
Forest reportedly submitted the documentation for the 32-year-old 21 seconds after the 17:00 BST deadline on 16 October.
The English Football League subsequently rejected the transfer.
Forest appealed first to the EFL Board and then to an independent arbitration panel which upheld the decision.
Grosicki could still play for West Brom in the Premier League this side of Christmas as the Baggies have only named 24 of their 25-man squad and could add him to their list.