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.
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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.
Joined: Jul 31 2003 Posts: 36786 Location: Leafy Worcester, home of the Black Pear
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?
Hold on to me baby, his bony hands will do you no harm It said in the cards, we lost our souls to the Nameless One
Joined: Oct 19 2003 Posts: 17898 Location: Packed like sardines, in a tin
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.
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?
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Joined: Oct 15 2003 Posts: 53839 Location: North Yorkshire
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.
Joined: Jul 31 2003 Posts: 36786 Location: Leafy Worcester, home of the Black Pear
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.
Hold on to me baby, his bony hands will do you no harm It said in the cards, we lost our souls to the Nameless One
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!
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