This question has been raised before and there's no definitive answer as yet. Feka has a child over here, so in a sane world that would go in his favour. But the incredibly picky attitude adopted by the visa people at this moment suggests that any outcome is possible.

To me, this entire business beggars belief. Sportsmen with minor convictions can't get visas to work over here for a relatively brief time, yet our inner cities seem to be overrun with pimps and gangsters from Eastern Europe, who are all living here permanently and cheerfully setting up major league criminal networks.

I'm sure it's not quite as simple as that, but from the POV of the ordinary man in the street it's completely unexplainable.

you mean like some folk in the premier league want restrictions on the number of none british players but that would contravene eu law?
the rfl didnt stop bird playing it was the british government. he wasnt allowed a visa. the rfl sanctioned his move to bradford as they did with eastwood, crocker etc.

you might be a bit slow but at least your happy, laughter is the best medicine chuck

i dont think he should be allowed in super league if the NRL wont let him play then neither should we super league is turning into an 18-30 holidays for aussies who have no respect for the game and care about the money and the fame

When you look at the bigger issue i think its more about meting government stats on immigration than tackling the illegal issues of society , So back on topic ,going for higher profile people sports men /musicians and the like puts a bigger spin on things .

Yes. It creates an unfair playing field for Catalan (who i accept are only doing what is allowed) but the RFL should have set a ruling to work alongside the government.

Its a dangerous precedent.

Do you think this means that all those Aussies - no matter whether they're good or average - who've fallen foul of the NRL for whatever reason, will now go automatically to Catalan?

If so, could be a good thing. Might concentrate the rest of SL's minds on recruiting the sort of players they should have been trying to recruit all along.

I thought Meli's problem was more to do with him being dozy and not putting his application in time and is just waiting on clearence. Could be wrong on that but i am sure i have read it somewhere

Possibly a good thing for the rest of SL, not necesarily for Catalans. The whole idea of bringing a French team into SL was to develop the French game - that doesn't mean no Aussie imports - but they must concentrate firstly on the young French talent which IMO comes in abundance, before they even consider Australian imports.

No, I don't think it means all will. But it certainly gives Catalan an advantage in terms of recruiting the real quality - like Bird.

I agree that it could help the rest of SL get their act together, and without delving too deeply into the politics of it all, the RFL have dug themselves into a corner on this one.

lets be honest, whats the guy done, hes awaiting trial, if convicted the rfl should withdraw his registration from the league, but until then should anybody be stopped plying there trade over what at this moment in time is an allegation.