[Bullseye]

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 7:36 pm  

mat wrote:

who's complaining?

See below:

Tartanbull wrote:

If Bird does sign for Catalans and is cleared to play games in this country I am done with Rugby League, that would be an absolute farce. I have followed Northern/Bulls since 1975, but if the club do not object strongly to this move I would go back to watching City

He has been refused a UK visa, period, so how on earth can he be allowed to come over here and 'work' every other week? French employers or not, no visa, no work surely!

If the RFL do allow this Catalans will be in Eutopia, sit back, let the English clubs sound out players and arrange contracts, then simply step in if a visa is refused and snap them up. Joke.

Rant Over

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:19 pm  

I'n not a lawyer but I cant see them stopping Bird from coming into this country to play games if he has clearance to play in the EU, he simply couldn't get resisdence here or be employed by a british company. It will be very difficult for them to deny an innocent man entry (which is why I cant understand the original descion tbh)

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:24 pm  

No1 Saint wrote:

I'n not a lawyer but I cant see them stopping Bird from coming into this country to play games if he has clearance to play in the EU, he simply couldn't get resisdence here or be employed by a british company. It will be very difficult for them to deny an innocent man entry (which is why I cant understand the original descion tbh)

It isn't difficult at all, in fact that's exactly what has already happened to one Bird, G., Esq.

He does not "have clearance to play in the EU". There is no EU body (yet) competent to give such clearance.

France can admit him if it likes, but France does not (yet) issue visas for admission to Britain, and he won't get in, as his visa application has been refused. He did not appeal against the refusal so end of story. It's as simple as that.

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:32 pm  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

:lol:
It isn't difficult at all, in fact that's exactly what has already happened to one Bird, G., Esq.

He does not "have clearance to play in the EU". There is no EU body (yet) competent to give such clearance.

France can admit him if it likes, but France does not (yet) issue visas for admission to Britain, and he won't get in, as his visa application has been refused. He did not appeal against the refusal so end of story. It's as simple as that.

So if he'd never bothered applying for the UK he'd have been better off?

My knowledge on this is mainly gleaned from TV, but it seems that they stop people on hunches, ask them a few questions then let them go on if their story sounds reasonably plausible. Hence that Mexican chap getting the boot because he had a 'Good luck in your new life in the UK' greeting card with him when he was reckoning on he was only holidaying.

I'm still scratching my head as to how refusing Bird either helps the UK economy (he's a skilled worker who the Bulls have little to no chance of finding an immediate replacement for) or the war on terror (or is that over now?)

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:36 pm  

Could the Bulls have not jointly registered themselves as a company in France and had Bird (and Crocker and Carney) employed from there.

I can't see that the RFL could have a rule against multi-national companies owning teams.

There is no way that the immigration authorities will refuse him entry - even if they recognise him and once he's here the fact that he's working for a French company means he won't be touched.

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:40 pm  

af wrote:

So if he'd never bothered applying for the UK he'd have been better off?

No, he'd still need a visa to enter from France, bein' a forriner 'n all.

af wrote:

I'm still scratching my head as to how refusing Bird either helps the UK economy (he's a skilled worker who the Bulls have little to no chance of finding an immediate replacement for) or the war on terror (or is that over now?)

But while he hasn't actually been convicted of anything yet, the Border Agency are perfectly entitled to take any relevant information into due account, and it seems obvious that he wll end up doing time - otherwise why is he called "Bird"?

Eh? EH??Answer me that!

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:42 pm  

If anything, going by the TV shows that rationale is slightly too sophisticated for them...

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 8:49 pm  

He got a visa to enter an EU country, therefore as a visa holder he is entitled to "work" in other EU countries temporarily for his employer.

Sorry to say it is a back door route but legitimate all the same. I don't want these double standards but maybe it is a bit of Karma.

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:04 pm  

cymraegrhino wrote:

He got a visa to enter an EU country, therefore as a visa holder he is entitled to "work" in other EU countries temporarily for his employer.
.

No he isn't. A visa is per country. A visa for France doesn't permit you to enter the UK any more than a visa to enter say Poland does.

You are confused with the exemption that IF HE WERE GRANTED A VISA, he could do paid work here for 80 minutes a fortnight for his French employer.

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:15 pm  

So why didn't the bulls work out a deal with say a french RL team like toulouse. they "sign" him, we loan him. play the system