English Panel held on 10 September 1999
in Manchester
SUMMARY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE
REVIEW PANEL
PANEL MEMBERS
Frank Clark—Independent expert;
Gordon Taylor—Professional Footballers Association;
Dr Rogan Taylor—Independent expert;
Mike Walker—Independent expert;
Andy Williamson—Football League;
John Young—Football Association.
Application by Blackpool Football Club for
a work permit for Indrek Zelinski
Recommendation
The Panel considered written evidence from the
Club including testimonials from Craig Brown, Scottish National
Team Coach, Teitur Thordarson, Estonian National Coach and expanded
paper arguments from the Club. Video evidence was also supplied
but the Panel declined to view it. The Panel also took oral evidence
from the First Team Manager, Nigel Worthington.
There was substantial and heated discussion
as to the quality of the player and the Panel's view as to a comparative
level of skill within the English game. They were generally of
the opinion that to recommend a work permit be issued for a player
of this level of skill would lead to a dilution of talent within
the game and hinder progress for emerging domestic players. They
felt that although he had played a lot of international games,
they were generally against poor opposition, no other Club appeared
to have shown an interest in the player and the fee being paid,
£150,000, only £50,000 up front, reinforced their view
of the quality of the player.
Mr Worthington explained that he saw Zelinski
as an asset to the Club and to the Second Division as a whole.
He was an established international having won some 50 caps and
had been offered a three year contract. Comparison was also made
to another Estonian player currently playing in the Premier League,
as a goalkeeper with Derby County, as to the skill level of the
country. He had spoken at length to Craig Brown, the Scottish
Coach, who had seen Zelinski play four times against Scotland
in qualifying tournament games and Mr Brown felt he was a player
who would make a real impact in the English game. Mr Worthington
had watched the player closely during a one week trial at the
Club and viewed him as a genuine utility player who would help
to develop the younger less experienced players in the squad.
The Panel however still felt that although he
was an international player it was generally playing against lower
level opposition, no other Club had shown an interest in him and
the fee involved was very low. They were of the opinion that he
was not an established international player of the highest quality
and therefore would not make a significant contribution to the
English game. That was the view of four of the Panel, Frank Clark,
Gordon Taylor, Dr Rogan Taylor and John Young.
Mike Walker and Andy Williamson dissented, citing
that although they agreed with the assessment of the calibre of
the player, they still felt he would make a significant contribution
to the English game.
The Panel's majority decision is to recommend
that the appeal be refused.
Application by Bury Football Club for a work
permit for Baichung Bhutia
Recommendation
The Panel considered evidence from the Club
consisting of a written submission expanding upon their application,
testimonials from a top Scout, Harry Kirk, Fulham Football Club's
reserve Team Manager, John Marshall and several organisations
representing ethnic issues and communities. They also took oral
evidence from the Club Chairman, Terry Robinson and Neville Neville,
another Club official (father of Gary and Phil Neville, Manchester
United and England players). They also watched a promotional video
highlighting the player's background, playing ability and status
within India. He is the Captain of the National side having won
some 50 caps.
The Panel felt that on football grounds alone,
they were not convinced that the player was an international of
the highest calibre. However, in terms of whether he would make
a significant contribution to the English game, there was widespread
support for his potential to become a role model within the Asian
community. He has had trials, although unsuccessful, for Fulham
and Aston Villa and clearly has the potential to develop and progress
further in footballing terms. Concern was expressed that if he
was to fail it may prove to be a setback to encouraging talent
from within the Asian community to try to make a career in the
game or efforts to break down cultural and other barriers.
The Club Chairman made it clear that they felt
he was a player capable of making the grade in the Second Division.
He had been brought over to the UK for a trial performance and
had scored eight goals in three competitive games against Conference
standard opposition (Hyde United, Runcorn). He was, in their opinion,
better than the other British players they had looked at and undoubtedly
would be a tremendous and unique asset to the Club in seeking
to develop links with the Asian community. The Club has been inundated
with messages of support, offers of sponsorship and general interest
since it was announced that the player was having trials with
the Club. He would be an immediate part of the first team squad
and seen as "a real gem of a player to nurture and develop".
Five of the Panel felt that the player would
make a real contribution to the game, possibly as a player in
his own right in the future, but immediately as a role model to
stimulate interest and create a following in a large section of
the community not traditionally linked with football.
Mike Walker agreed with the Panel's sentiments
but opposed the recommendation on the grounds that he thought
the appeal should be refused on the basis that the player was
not an established international and would not make a significant
footballing contribution to the English game.
The Panel's majority recommendation is to issue
a work permit to Bury Football Club for Baichung Bhutia.
PANEL MEMBERS
Frank Clark—Independent expert;
Mike Foster—English Premier League;
Gordon Taylor—Professional Footballers Association;
Dr Rogan Taylor—Independent expert;
Mike Walker—Independent expert;
John Young—Football Association.
Application by Middlesbrough Football Club
for Oswaldo Giraldo Junior (Juninho)
Recommendation
The Panel considered written evidence submitted
by the Club and took oral evidence from Bryan Robson, First Team
Manager and Keith Lamb, Club Chief Executive. The written evidence
consisted of the player's international record, his performance
when he was previously a work permit player, the fact that he
was the Carling Premier League player of the year in 1996-97 and
medical reasons why the player had not been able to meet the international
playing criteria.
The Panel were well acquainted with the player's
ability from his previous spell as a work permit holder. He is,
in their opinion, a player of superb skill and would be a tremendous
asset to the domestic game. There were various reasons as to why
he moved to Spain, particularly that in order to remain in the
international squad he had been advised that a move abroad was
essential. However, he suffered a serious injury, breaking his
ankle, and subsequently was judged not fit enough to make the
Brazilian World Cup squad.
Mr Robson explained that Juninho was a world
class player and would bring charisma and flair to the English
game and anyone who had seen him play before when he was at Middlesbrough
would know he would make a very significant contribution to the
English game. He said that the Club had signed the player on a
contract until June 2000, not on loan, but with a get out clause
should he for any reason not make the grade. If the Club exercised
their right to keep him beyond June 2000 they would probably be
paying a transfer fee in the region of £8 million.
The Panel were unanimous in their opinion that
Juninho was clearly a player of the highest calibre, would make
a significant contribution to the English game and that a work
permit should be issued to Middlesbrough Football Club.
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