Anderson trapped in red tape

Stuart Mathieson

June 06, 2007

UNITED will compile a team of experts to argue the Reds' case in their bid to gain a work permit for Brazilian Anderson.

The club are expecting a red-tape battle to secure the services of the 19-year-old.

The immigration department at the Home Office are set to reject United's first official application for a permit to allow Anderson to move to England from Porto.

The Reds agreed last week a move in principle for the midfielder at a cost of £17m.

However, the transfer will be conditional on the South American teenager successfully getting a work permit.

The first application will almost certainly be rejected, as Anderson does not meet the criteria set by the Home Office.

Imports into the Premier League have to have played in 75 per cent of their country's international matches over the last two years.

Debut

Anderson, however, has not even made his full international debut for Brazil.

He is in World Cup-winning Brazilian Dunga's squad for the Copa America that begins this month in Venezuela but that will cut no ice officially with the bureaucrats.

United, though, will be allowed to appeal and club lawyers and witnesses will then be allowed to present Old Trafford's case.

United have had previous experience of the process when they signed Korean Ji-sung Park from PSV Eindhoven.

The Reds called on the then PSV coach Guus Hiddink to help argue Park's case.

The Dutchman's input in explaining how Park would enhance the quality of the Premier League helped the permit to be granted.

United are most likely to send Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant Carlos Queiroz to help put forward the argument for Anderson but may also call Porto coach Jesualdo Ferreira. to present Anderson's qualities.

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DC, Amsterdam (06/06/2007 at 11:03)

Anyone know the difference between this case and Obi Mikel? Is it because Obi Mikel got a work permit in Norway, or because he had played once or twice for Nigeria beforehand? Or because he plays for Chelsea?

Dublinred, Dublin (06/06/2007 at 11:30)

Can someone please explain how this nonsense works? How do all the other young foreign players get into England? How do Arsenal get all their players? How did Pique,Rossi etc get in or were they resident in England already? Cant understand it!!

Reds4ever, Entrance N410 (06/06/2007 at 11:32)

DC, according to a recent post Mikel got a permit under some outstanding young talent rule. Don't know if it's true though.

horace, Salford (06/06/2007 at 11:41)

When this country lets all and sundry illegal immigrants in to claim benefits, they want to stop someone who is going to work here pay taxes, spend money in shops, etc. Just doesnt make sence

Michael Pritchard (06/06/2007 at 11:53)

Dublinred, The reason Rossi and Pique etc could move to england is that they came from italy and spain and are therefore in part of the EU so there was no problem as people can move and work freely within the EU. I have full confidence that Anderson will be allowed a WP on appeal because he is a brilliant young player. No offence to Park but if he qualified then so will anderson. Hope that helps

DC, Amsterdam (06/06/2007 at 11:54)

DublinRed, any foreign player that holds a work permit in an EU country is eligible to play. So it is only players from outside the EU that are in a grey area, and hence Pique and Rossi qualify for permits straight away.

Jrogger, Canterbury (06/06/2007 at 11:56)

Dublinred,

Pique is Spanish & Rossi I would guess holds an Italian passport. A lot of Arsenal's young players are french or Spanish. There's no issue. Anderson is Brazilian. Mikel is a good comparison, as he's African (Nigerian?), so he needed a permit, but I don't remember any fuss about it so he must either have had enough games for his country or else gained access because he had already been allowed to work in Norway (which is a member of the EEA, which confers certain work movement rights on individuals, even though it's not an EU member).

Duncan, London (06/06/2007 at 11:59)

That might be right reds4ever - I think that Mikel was voted African Young Footballer of the Year a couple of years back - he'd also played for Nigeria a few times by the start of last season. Hopefully being voted FIFA U-17 World Cup best player helps our case.

Hangey, Luxury Hill !! (06/06/2007 at 12:03)

I`m sure his application will go through! Only If it was possible to see the Park J-sung Appeal with Hidink persuading the Home Office about the Korean stuff! This must be the best film recorded on tape ever! I will pay all my fortunes to get it!

Davey Boy, Kuwait (06/06/2007 at 12:04)

Well if thats the case DC about this outstanding young talent rule.....there shouldn't be a problem then!

redarmy, rochdale (06/06/2007 at 12:07)

obi,mashenero,tevez ring any bells if anderson cant play then its rules for 1 and non for the other,the fa is a laugh.

Red Dawn (06/06/2007 at 12:09)

Anderson will get the work permit upon appeal.

There is no chance of him getting it first time because he doesn't meet the 75% rule, but United will appeal under the outstanding talent rule, and he will almost certainly be granted the permit under that, as he is indeed an outstanding talent. His price tag alone is enough to suggest it, and the club he is joining.

John Obi Mikel and Solomon Kalou both got permits last year, and Kalou, who was basically a unknown, never even played a game for the Ivory Coast. Mikel got it under the outstanding talent ruling.

Anderson shouldn't have a problem.

steven r (06/06/2007 at 12:27)

the uk government is a shambles, why let all the cheats in, anderson is going to pay ££££££££'s in tax and insurances

Duncan, London (06/06/2007 at 12:36)

Redarmy mascherano an Tevez play regularly for their country and Mikel has played a few times for Nigeria as well so meets the immigration rules. Anderson hasn't yet. Hopefuly he plays a few in the Copa America.

stu, london (06/06/2007 at 12:37)

Redarmy, Rochdale, this has nothing to do with the FA.

Horace, this has nothing to do with immigrants, illegal or otherwise.

Steve in Brussels (06/06/2007 at 12:40)

All I can say is that this English law rule is ridiculous. The next thing I can say is if Obi Mikel can get one then so should Anderson. He has played in the Ch League and been a mainstay in the Portuguese league - Mikel had not when signed by us and subsequently stolen by Chelsea. Anderson has played for Brazilian U-17s so where can you draw the line? "Sorry mate you can't have a permit because at the grand old age of 18 you have been so poor you have not even managed to displace those useless players Ronaldinho and Kaka." Arsenal have been playing that Denilson kid so how come he got a permit then? In Barcelona and Real Madrid it is amazing how as soon as they have a talented kid from Mexico, Brazil or Argentina but no legal space in the squad for another non-EU player that that kid suddenly qualifies for an EU passport at the same time - remarkable coincidence that! On a final note surely if Joey Barton is licensed to continue to play football how can you penalise a talented Brazilian kid. Stupid English law.

redarmy, rochdale (06/06/2007 at 13:09)

stu .dunc thanks for the info,just seems unfair,hes played for porto so i really cant see a problem.
SSN rossi wanted by porto and juve.

Steve Cummins (06/06/2007 at 13:13)

Can we leave the little-englander rehtoric to the likes of the Daily Mail please?

Anderson will get a WP on appeal because he is undoubted quality. End of.

Red Dawn (06/06/2007 at 13:17)

Denilson at Arsenal also got one...

Now that is a strange one unless he holds an EU Passport.

By the way, Nani is at OT today for a medical and to tie up his move before the U-21 Championships on Sunday.

Alias Smith, over the moon (06/06/2007 at 13:50)

We all know how close to their chest United keep transfer business and how cagey they are about official announcements - there is no way they would have announced this deal unless they were 100% confident of getting the permit.

SIMON., DERRY, N. IRELAND. (06/06/2007 at 14:17)

Steve in Brussels - the law is an ass!!! as the saying goes mate but I shouldn't worry about the legalities of obtaining a work permit for him as he will qualify under the "Exceptional Talent" clause for footballers just as Mikel (who even if he did turn his back on us and force a move to Chelski) was classed as one. Thats a good point too, how do Real Madrid and Barcelona manage to obtain work permits or EU passports for these kids they pluck from South-America? Surely the work permit rules should be a standard across the EU!!! Anyhow I think we're in for a treat next season. Support the Team and Live the Dream.....

Rob86, manchester (06/06/2007 at 14:19)

On appeal the case for Anderson being granted a WP will have:
His representation of Brazil(Almost constantly number one in FIFA world rankings)at under-19 level and COPA America at senior level.
The high fee paid for him indicating a high level of first team involvement.
His medals gained at Porto.
His widely-endorsed talent.

It would be crazy if he didn't get one but I wouldn't be suprised if didn't,in fact I'm quite pessismistic.
I also hope Ferguson goes to the appeal,surely he has more sway than quieroz.
Another thing,I'm not sure about this but if he isn't granted one is the deal off.I would hope we have a deal in place to loan him back to porto instead of chelsea,barca,madrid etc. swooping at a later date,that would be sickening.

Jaco, South Africa (06/06/2007 at 15:14)

The home office will definitely not be acting in the best interest of their country if they do not allow Anderson a work permit. He is definitely bringing a skill to the country and will be self-sufficient (due to getting paid a pile of money), so he will not be a potential drain on the system.

A system should be introduced similar to the "highly skilled migrant visa" that allows professionals with certain experience and a substantial income to work in the UK. Footballers are no different, so why is the system so different for them?

Mick Red, London (06/06/2007 at 15:19)

This red tape is ridiculous with the amount of foriegners that pour into this country everyday with no red tape stopping them. just another example of how this country is falling apart at with the government taking no action to prevent it>

george (06/06/2007 at 16:31)

Anderson trapped in red tape!
It'll be better when he's trapped in a red shirt.If the deal gets scuppered heads should roll in parliament! Who are the Chelsea MPs anyway?

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