Europe South Asia Asia Pacific Americas Middle East Africa BBC Homepage World Service Education
BBC Homepagelow graphics version | feedback | help
BBC News Online
 You are in: Sport: Football: News
Front Page 
World 
UK 
UK Politics 
Business 
Sci/Tech 
Health 
Education 
Sport 
Football 
Rugby League 
Rugby Union 
Cricket 
Formula 1 
Tennis 
Golf 
Entertainment 
Talking Point 
In Depth 
AudioVideo 
Monday, 29 November, 1999, 15:35 GMT
Foreign players in fake passport probe
Esteban Fuertes: Travelling on a forged Italian passport

Immigration officials are investigating the suspected use of fake passports by foreign footballers signing to British clubs.

The move comes after it was confirmed that Derby County's Argentinian striker Esteban Fuertes was refused re-entry to the UK because he was travelling on a bogus Italian passport.

The player was stopped at customs while returning from a club trip to Portugal and was forced to return to South America.


The Fuertes case smacks of an underworld trade in passports
Gordon Taylor, Professional Footballers' Association
The Home Office refused to confirm newspaper allegations that two more players were under investigation.

However, a spokesman for the government department said: "I am sure the Immigration Enforcement Agency will be interested in other possible irregularities."

The concern is that players who are unable to meet the strict conditions for a British work permit may be acquiring fake passports giving them bogus citizenship for the UK or another European Union country.

The English Premiership is a popular target because of high wages, transfer fees and sizeable commissions for agents.

Chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association Gordon Taylor has called for a Football Association investigation, saying that Fuertes could be just "the tip of the iceberg".

"The Fuertes case smacks of an underworld trade in passports," he said.

"The FA should be concerned. It is their duty to look after the home-grown player and English nationals."

The FA said "our sympathy is with Derby who unwittingly are the victims in this situation".

Media relations manager Steve Double said Fuertes was the only instance of passport forgery that they were aware of, adding: "It's a matter for the immigration service in terms of what happens now.
Search BBC News Online

Advanced search options
Launch console
BBC RADIO NEWS
BBC ONE TV NEWS
WORLD NEWS SUMMARY
PROGRAMMES GUIDE

See also:
 |  News
Fuertes sent home in passport row
28 Aug 99 |  FA Carling Premiership
Rams burst ten-man Everton's bubble
06 Aug 99 |  FA Carling Premiership
Derby County: Goal hunt