Iraq midfielder Nashat Akram's move to Manchester City looks to be over after he was refused a work permit.
Akram had signed a two-and-a-half-year contract earlier
in January but it appears that he cannot travel to the UK because of
immigration rules. [/size][size=9]They stipulate that his national side must be in the top 70 of the FIFA rankings, which Iraq are not.
I have huge sympathy for Nashat," admitted Manchester City's Swedish manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.
He's a very good footballer with an excellent international pedigree," he added.
"Nashat has now returned to the Middle East and we'll keep in touch."
Manchester City have already lost an appeal against the
Home Office decision, but hope remains as the Iraqi government have
taken up Akram's cause. And their case also has the support of Keith Vaz, Labour MP for Leicester East.
"I shall be calling on the Home Secretary (Jacqui Smith) to review this decision," he said
"Here we have someone who wants to come and work legitimately, a
role model for his country, whose presence here can heal divisions in Iraq.
"Parliament has given ministers the right to exercise their discretion and
they should use it.
"This case sends out all the wrong messages."
Akram, born in Hilla, currently plays for Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates.
He has been the subject of speculation over a move to
the Premier League since he played a key role in helping Iraq win last
year's Asian Cup. But the national team has been unable to move up in the
rankings because it has been impossible to play any home matches
because of fears of violence. The team have not played a home game in nearly 20 years.
Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:01 am