MP backing Sakiri

10 July 2003

Tom Watson, MP for West Bromwich, has promised to do all he can to help Albion overturn the decision to refuse a work permit for Macedonian midfielder Artim Sakiri.

The appeal, which was held yesterday in Sheffield, saw Albion Secretary John Evans, manager Gary Megson and England coach Steve McLaren make a case for bending the rules for Sakiri, whose original application failed because Macedonia's FIFA ranking of 89th fell below the cutoff limit of 75th. Despite evidence of Sakiri's quality, as seen by all England fans when he scored from a corner in last year's International game, the six man panel consisting of representatives from the FA, the FL and the PFA and three football "experts" appointed by the Home Office were deadlocked in their decision with 3 for and 3 against. Unfortunately, a draw is not good enough to win the appeal, and it was refused.

Now local MP Tom Watson, approached by BOING readers has told us:

"It's an outrage and I'm doing what I can to help."

Fingers crossed, then!

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