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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 BBC RADIO NEWS BBC ONE TV NEWS WORLD NEWS SUMMARY BBC NEWS 24 BULLETIN 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

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