Sporting Life has this quote from Bobby re Nobby's international involvement:

"It's up to him. We don't want him to go because we've just given him a new contract with more money on the evidence that he would stay and play football for us.

"A few months ago, he said he was finished with the Peruvian FA, he'd had a row with the coach and he didn't want it anymore. Now he's gone off again. "But he doesn't have to do that. Alan Shearer hasn't got anything in his contract, he said 'I've had enough'.

"He told us he didn't want to play for Peru, but now he does so he's going to Peru.

"They're going to play five matches and they haven't got a cat in hell's chance of qualifying, but he's still going to go.

"I've told him to make his mind up because if he doesn't, I will - and you can read into that whatever you want. I've told Nobby that face to face."

I can understand Bobby's frustration, but if Nobby's Greek passport isn't legit, then he's got to play internationals to maintain his work permit. Doesn't sound like there's much choice, and it's really not up to Nobby. Or am I misunderstanding this whole work permit/passport issue?

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

Answers

Aggravating Peruvian

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

IMHO he must play for Peru. Just think of the uproar if Beckham played abroad and with Germany & Albania coming up, Foreign United FC refuse to release England's "star" player.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

ciara, I read somewhere recently that Nobby's Work Permit is valid for the duration of his new Contract - so that shouldn't be an issue.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

In that case, I can understand Bobby's frustration. Especially as he says, Peru really have very little chance of qualifying.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001

You just need to be an international to get your first work permit. After that, you need to play 70% of games for your club to maintain that permit.

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2001