: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:29 pm  

Neil HFC wrote:

found this in League Express

"The RFL said that this kind of problem had not arisen before, seeing that this player had been refused a visa to play in England. But he can play in france, and I think that, considering he is part of a French organisation, he could spend 48 hours in England [to play matches] and then return to France." - Bernard Guasch (Catalan Chairman)

but that doesnt really address being allowed in the country as far as I can see, Chris28 where are you?

Fair bit of speculation there.

: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:30 pm  

Could the Bird issue strengthen Crocker`s case ?

: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:31 pm  

me 'n' our kid wrote:

Fair bit of speculation there.

Thought it was quite spot on from the RFL....

[Kosh]

: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:31 pm  

me 'n' our kid wrote:

Fair bit of speculation there.

Indeed.

It appears that our French friends may have confused the requirement to apply for a visa with permission to enter the country.

Oh dear.

[Kosh]

: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:32 pm  

HFC Boy wrote:

Could the Bird issue strengthen Crocker`s case ?

In what way?

: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:32 pm  

Kosh wrote:

It sounds like the UKBA firing a warning shot while being very careful to not appear to be pre-judging an individual case.

The two situations are identical. In both cases you have an individual interpreting the rules according to current guidelines.

Fair comment, I suppose it's about how we interpret what has been said rather than how it was said.

[Kosh]

: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:35 pm  

me 'n' our kid wrote:

Fair comment, I suppose it's about how we interpret what has been said rather than how it was said.

It's further complicated by the fact that anything to do with immigration is intensely political, and the UKBA are well aware of that. They are going to be extremely careful about what's said in public and about how the rules are applied.

If Bird is allowed to enter the country after being refused a visa, it's going to open a huge can of worms. I'm pretty confident that the UKBA would rather that can remain firmly closed...

: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:40 pm  

Kosh wrote:

In what way?

The UKBA refuse Bird a Visa for entry into the UK . He then signs for a French Club and is allowed to enter the UK every 2 weeks to play here?
It all seems very strange!

[Kosh]

: Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:43 pm  

HFC Boy wrote:

The UKBA refuse Bird a Visa for entry into the UK . He then signs for a French Club and is allowed to enter the UK every 2 weeks to play here?
It all seems very strange!

Have you not read the last 20 or so posts?

It's extremely unlikely that Bird will be allowed into the UK.

: Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:10 pm  

Was told today by an Ex-FC player, still well connected to the club that Crocker HAS been granted a Visa. Sanctions are being added to the visa because of his charge for affray 4 yrs ago and this explains the rather drawn out nature of the whole affair. He'll be here in a fortnight. Swore i wasn't going to get into the Crocker will he/wont he, can he/can't he scenario but the nature of the source has put a whole new slant on it as far as i'm concerned. I was told "this is no rumour"!