#giveThomasatrial

[baitman]

Great to hear, topscorer.
Is he a midfield midget or a beefy destroyer?

[topscorer]

He's very small, which is the main doubt everyone has about him.

But played against a huge dude several years older than him yesterday and stopped him getting into the game and as you can see from the stats the big dude didn't stop Thomas, except when he fouled him several times!

[topscorer]

170cms, 60kgs

[Fosterbloke]

170cms, 60kgs

Heavier than Lemar!

[poorscousertommy]

Just discovered this thread! Great read and I hope it goes well!

I shall be following this thread with a lot of interest!

[Assassin]

Just discovered this thread! Great read and I hope it goes well!

I shall be following this thread with a lot of interest!

Me too. I have seen the title a few times and thought it was a 'Better call Saul' type of thead

Interesting reading and good luck to the little fella

[topscorer]

#giveThomasatrial

PLEASE READ - URGENT HELP NEEDED

Guys, situation is not good and I need help quick.

Thomas has still been unable to play football in England because the English FA have not given him international clearance.

He's already missed several opportunities for trials as a result and has not been able to play any competitive games with Southport, with whom he is registered to request international clearance.

I want to challenge Article 19 of FIFA regulations in the court of law as an infringement on our civil liberties as UK citizens.

I need a law firm or advocacy group that will be willing to take on this case pro bono.

I hope this can have an impact in a similar way to the Bosman ruling of 1995.

If you know anyone that might be able to help please PM me, I'm desperate.

I cannot believe that a British citizen is unable to play amateur football in his country of birth!

[Fosterbloke]

Hang on, he has a UK passport and is a British citizen? What's the issue exactly?

[Pablo]

No idea how to help, but I really hope the situation gets sorted out for the lad.

[topscorer]

Hang on, he has a UK passport and is a British citizen? What's the issue exactly?

Yep, he's an English born UK citizen but using FIFA Article 19 because he is a minor they want me to prove that I am returning to my own country for non footballing reasons or they won't give him clearance to play amateur football in his own country of citizenship and birth.

I don't believe it is the intention of article 19 to prevent minors from playing in a country where they have citizenship and if that is the intention then it needs to be challenged in court because a non government organisation based in a foreign country should not be able to restrict the civil rights of a citizen for non footballing reasons.

But besides that, I've provided them with a letter telling them that I am self employed and here for work but they are interrogating me with questions and also demanding documents from my wife to prove she has a work VISA.

She isn't ****ing working in the UK and doesn't want to so she doesn't need one and anyway they aren't immigration so they've no ****ing right to ask.

[labourRed]

Immigration is a absolute cluster**** at the moment (and has been for a decade or more). If you get enough pressure on them, perhaps even the media angle you may have some success but i don't have any anecdotal evidence to back that up i'm afraid, just a suggestion.

[Kenneth]

I hope this can have an impact in a similar way to the Bosman ruling of 1995.

Sorry I can't be of assistance, but what do you mean here? Are you wanting to completely over turn the principles of A19, or just ensure exemptions for players returning to their home country? It sounds as though you're hit by an uncommon situation hitting up against a badly drafted rule.

[topscorer]

Sorry I can't be of assistance, but what do you mean here? Are you wanting to completely over turn the principles of A19, or just ensure exemptions for players returning to their home country? It sounds as though you're hit by an uncommon situation hitting up against a badly drafted rule.

I think players with more than one citizenship should be free to play in any country where they have citizenship regardless of age and reason for living in that country.

I actually think a player should be able to play in any country where they are legally resident but I know that's much more controversial and I know that the intention of article 19 is to prevent exploitation of minors.

Personally I don't think it's exploiting a minor if they are getting the opportunity to receive quality education and life experiences that they would not normally be able to get as long as that's something that the parent of legal guardian wants for their child.

The problem is I've seen stories of exploitation of minors, especially African players taken to Asian countries so I understand the need for something. However article 19 is not for for purpose as it is now and what my son is experiencing at the moment is clear encroachment on national law and citizenship rights IMO.

[spud_gun]

How does article 19 apply to the youngsters who fill the academy's of Premier League clubs? A good proportion of those lads are under 19 and not UK citizens.

[topscorer]

How does article 19 apply to the youngsters who fill the academy's of Premier League clubs? A good proportion of those lads are under 19 and not UK citizens.

I think it doesn't apply to players from the EU, for non EU minors the rule should apply.

http://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/december-2015-updates/fifa-article-19.ashx

https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administration/regulations_on_the_status_and_transfer_of_players_en_33410.pdf