321 Work Permit Part 2 (1/2)
Chapter 321: Work Permit Part 2
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Evan decided to learn from AC Milan, to learn their culture of a ”big family.” If possible, he hoped to bring back all those who had played for Forest before and have them continue contributing to Forest from outside the field, whether it was as a manager, a scout, or in the administrative field.
Of course, having a plan was wonderful. But, there were many other factors to be considered in carrying it out. They would start with managing the daily needs of the players.
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After the confirmation of Pepe's transfer, the Forest Team submitted his information to the English Football Association for record-keeping and the application for a work permit.
However, they received two pieces of bad news four days later.
The English FA rejected Pepe's work permit application as Nottingham Forest's newly signed player. The reason was what Tang En had been worried about all along: Pepe's citizenship issue.
According to Portugal's legal regulations, so long as the individual applying had resided in Portugal for a full six years, they would be able to pass the series of reviews and obtain Portuguese citizenship. However, the process required time. Based on the procedures listed out by the Portuguese government, Pepe did not have any hope of obtaining citizenship before the closure of the summer transfer window.
Jorges Mendes related the situation to Tang En apologetically over the phone. The news had caught Mendes unawares. Originally, he had thought that he would be able to ”expedite” Pepe's application with his influence. Unexpectedly, the Portuguese government intended on reviewing and passing a new set of ”Nationality Laws.” The reviews of Portuguese citizenship applications from foreign immigrants had been tightened to the point where there was no space for negotiation; they could only do it step-by-step as required by the procedure.
Mendes politely said that he would try to think of a way, but Tang En had already lost hope in the matter. After putting down the phone, he cursed. ”F**king bureaucracy.”
Dunn, who had been watching tapes, turned around to give him a strange look. Without paying him any heed, Tang En dipped his head and made a call to Evan Doughty.
”Evan. I've got bad news. Do you want to hear it?”
Evan laughed wryly on the other side. ”I already know, Tony. FC Porto just called to inform us. We have to either cancel the transfer or delay it to the same time next year. What are your thoughts?”
From all appearances, the second option sounded good; it was only a delay of a year. However, from a practical perspective, those two options were unacceptable. Disregarding the double impact caused to the teams by suddenly announcing the delayed transfer by a year, Forest was going to go into battle in the new season of the Champions League. In the new season, with Hierro's retirement and the situation of Tang En being unable to entirely trust Matthew Upson, what was the use of delaying the entry of a player who he planned to be included in the team? They had to waste an entire season waiting for a single person?
”Both are unacceptable.” Tang En said decisively. ”The transfer has to be done by this summer. I have to get Pepe. I've decided to use the Exceptional Talent Clause for Pepe to apply for his worker permit.”