Obua will learn his Hearts fate today
Aug 05, 2008
DAVID Obua’s hopes of turning out for Scottish side Hearts will be decided during an appeals meeting at the Scotland Football Association (SFA) offices at Hampden today.
By Fred Kaweesi
DAVID Obua’s hopes of turning out for Scottish side Hearts will be decided during an appeals meeting at the Scotland Football Association (SFA) offices at Hampden today.
The Cranes winger agreed terms with Hearts last month but could not be granted a work permit immediately since Uganda is placed outside FIFA’s top 70 ranked countries.
Hearts will plead their case in front of an independent panel of former players and league officials.
Obua will then become Laszlo Csaba’s first signing if the red tape can be overcome.
Hearts expect the Home Office to reject their application but they have been told that gaining one wouldn’t be a problem because Obua has played 75% of Uganda’s matches.
A SFA spokesman said: “If the player does not meet the work permit criteria, and I don’t think Uganda do, Hearts would have to appeal.
“They would have to request an appeal from the Border Agency, who gather the information and then advise us to accommodate an independent panel.â€
The independent appeals panel through the SFA will decide if the former Kaizer Chiefs player possesses talent that would enhance the Scottish Premier League.
Hearts engage Motherwell in their first league game on Saturday.
DAVID Obua’s hopes of turning out for Scottish side Hearts will be decided during an appeals meeting at the Scotland Football Association (SFA) offices at Hampden today.
The Cranes winger agreed terms with Hearts last month but could not be granted a work permit immediately since Uganda is placed outside FIFA’s top 70 ranked countries.
Hearts will plead their case in front of an independent panel of former players and league officials.
Obua will then become Laszlo Csaba’s first signing if the red tape can be overcome.
Hearts expect the Home Office to reject their application but they have been told that gaining one wouldn’t be a problem because Obua has played 75% of Uganda’s matches.
A SFA spokesman said: “If the player does not meet the work permit criteria, and I don’t think Uganda do, Hearts would have to appeal.
“They would have to request an appeal from the Border Agency, who gather the information and then advise us to accommodate an independent panel.â€
The independent appeals panel through the SFA will decide if the former Kaizer Chiefs player possesses talent that would enhance the Scottish Premier League.
Hearts engage Motherwell in their first league game on Saturday.