EPL Talk - Latest Comments in Work Permit Rules Need to be Revisited

Re: Work Permit Rules Need to be Revisited

lsmetana — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 09:17:32 -0000

The Home Office rule is why clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United have established strong links with clubs in Belgium. They can get their foreign players EU status after a couple of years and no worries about appeals or padded envelopes being slid under tables.

Re: Work Permit Rules Need to be Revisited

kkfla737 — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:32:59 -0000

Ian, the rules are illogical.

For example Josh Wolff had played in two world cups but because he was left off the Gold Cup squad twice once due to injury and another time because he had played in the Confederations Cup which ended a week before the Gold Cup began he did not meet the 75% and then Derby lost the appeal to sign him. Yet somehow Eddie Johnson got a work permit to play for Fulham despite featuring less regularly (under Arena) and having fewer caps than Wolff. He fell short of the 75% but won his appeal which Wolff did not.

All the Alves case tells me is that Boro did a good job in that particular case. I'm glad they got Alves but the rejection of Akram who captained his team to an Asian Cup triumph and whose side because of war has played too few games to be ranked highly by FIFA was downright criminal as some MPs indicated after the decision was made.

Re: Work Permit Rules Need to be Revisited

Ian — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:21:13 -0000

Alves case not withstanding far too many accomplished internationals have been turned down for a permit while other less worthy cases have been accepted by the home office. The most poignant and appropriate statement of this entire article was the last line about common sense. Very rarely if ever does the home office apply it with regards to work permits for footballers.

Re: Work Permit Rules Need to be Revisited

Phil McThomas — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:08:56 -0000

The Home Office have a very reasonable policy of allowing appeals to their qualitative criteria, which are often successful. Alfonso Alves happens to be forefront in my mind - no chance of playing a lot of games for Brazil, but sailed through the clearance process. It happens all the time.

I think the numeric formula is for automatic approval only.

Re: Work Permit Rules Need to be Revisited

The Gaffer — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:30:10 -0000

Ray,

I'm curious. Which were the more insulting posts you mentioned?

Thanks for the kind words about the site.

Cheers,
The Gaffer

Re: Work Permit Rules Need to be Revisited

Ray — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:53:40 -0000

After two of the more insulting posts ever on this fine website a nice bounce back effort from someone I thought should be sent to a halfway house. Your piece is accurate and well thought out, but one thing I am wondering is how would you solve the problem?

The Home Office is not going to relinquish authority for this to footballing people because they fear then that every permit will be approved. So how do you solve it?