: Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:12 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

Bradford have strangely given their blessing I believe.

So I see. I'd be disappointed if it was Crocker and FC said nothing. As Standee says, very odd.

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:18 pm  

Chris28 wrote: Letters to local MPs who then write to the Immigration Minister (Phil Woolas) to protest, the RFL could write to the Sport Minister if enough people forced their hand. He could take it up a notch and write to the Home Secretary (Woolas's boss). Individuals could follow the same path (my MP is the ex sports Minister Richard Caborn). I'm not convinced it would have an effect, but raisng it could at least get people thinking about it. I may be wrong but i believe this guy is our sports minister. http://www.andyburnham.org/contact.asp Query form to fill in, phone number also on here. Contact away!!

Chris28 wrote: Letters to local MPs who then write to the Immigration Minister (Phil Woolas) to protest, the RFL could write to the Sport Minister if enough people forced their hand. He could take it up a notch and write to the Home Secretary (Woolas's boss). Individuals could follow the same path (my MP is the ex sports Minister Richard Caborn). I'm not convinced it would have an effect, but raisng it could at least get people thinking about it. I may be wrong but i believe this guy is our sports minister. http://www.andyburnham.org/contact.asp Query form to fill in, phone number also on here. Contact away!!

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:20 pm  

Big Dave T wrote: I may be wrong but i believe this guy is our sports minister. http://www.andyburnham.org/contact.asp Query form to fill in, phone number also on here. Contact away!! Go to http://www.culture.gov.uk/contact_us/default.aspx. The one you've quoted may get ignored Dave - it's for his constituents only.

Big Dave T wrote: I may be wrong but i believe this guy is our sports minister. http://www.andyburnham.org/contact.asp Query form to fill in, phone number also on here. Contact away!! Go to http://www.culture.gov.uk/contact_us/default.aspx. The one you've quoted may get ignored Dave - it's for his constituents only.

[Kosh]

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:22 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

Bradford have strangely given their blessing I believe.

Realistically, what were their options? Bird clearly wants away rather than risk the outcome of the court case, so if Bradford tried to block the signing what would they achieve?

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:25 pm  

Kosh wrote:

Realistically, what were their options? Bird clearly wants away rather than risk the outcome of the court case, so if Bradford tried to block the signing what would they achieve?

I would hope that they'd have been upset enough to get in touch with the immigration minister to say "if we can't have him why should they?" as it's all to do with entry to the UK. Why should Catalans be "allowed" (if it happens) to bring in to the UK players who've been told they can't come to the UK?

Bradford will know the reasons for the original refusal so will have a better idea of how potentially unfair this is.

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:26 pm  

Chris28 wrote:

I would hope not!

TBH I'm hoping that other clubs (especially Bradford) kick off about this whole thing. It has the potential to be a massive loophole and could be seen, as people have said, to give Catalans an unfair advantage.

why do you think its such a massive loophole?

is it any different from the hundreds of footballers who wouldnt get a work permit/visa here that play in european competition every year?

its it any different from clubs like Man Utd signing players who arent eligable to play here then loaning them out to belgian clubs for 2 years so they can get a belgian passport and then play here?

surely its just something we must accept, considering we play in a european competition?

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:28 pm  

Chris28 wrote:

The one you've quoted may get ignored Dave - it's for his constituents only.

Ignore RL fans when his constituency is in the heart of Rugby League heart land, how dare he!!

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:49 pm  

Kosh wrote:

Realistically, what were their options? Bird clearly wants away rather than risk the outcome of the court case, so if Bradford tried to block the signing what would they achieve?

Ask the question of why they can't and Catalans can. Bird playing for Cats could cost Bradford a place or two on the ladder.

[Kosh]

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 12:58 pm  

PAUL M wrote:

Ask the question of why they can't and Catalans can. Bird playing for Cats could cost Bradford a place or two on the ladder.

The answer would be because that's the way it is. They'd achieve nothing in any kind of timescale short enough to do themselves any good.

The RFL can't legally block Catalans from signing Bird. The only thing they could do would be to remove any remaining quota extension, and that would almost certainly need a full meeting of all SL chairmen to ratify. Doing anything in time to correct matters this season is probably not practical.

That doesn't mean that the clubs shouldn't be on to the RFL to get something sorted for NEXT season, though. They should also, IMO, be making representations to the Immigration Minister and their local MPs. But in the short term, and for Bradford alone, there's not much that can be done.

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:04 pm  

Kosh wrote:

The answer would be because that's the way it is. They'd achieve nothing in any kind of timescale short enough to do themselves any good.

The RFL can't legally block Catalans from signing Bird. The only thing they could do would be to remove any remaining quota extension, and that would almost certainly need a full meeting of all SL chairmen to ratify. Doing anything in time to correct matters this season is probably not practical.

That doesn't mean that the clubs shouldn't be on to the RFL to get something sorted for NEXT season, though. They should also, IMO, be making representations to the Immigration Minister and their local MPs. But in the short term, and for Bradford alone, there's not much that can be done.

A more drastic measure could see the RFL re-locate to France and try to get all SL clubs governed by French Visa guidelines!