Immigration Office to Check Whether Essien, Cole Hold Work Permits
Jakarta. The Immigration Office in Bandung, West Java, will summon two Persib Bandung football players in response to claims by the Indonesian Professional Sports Agency, or BOPI, that they do not have work permits.
According to BOPI, which is an agency affiliated with the Sports Ministry, former English Premier League stars Michael Essien and Carlton Cole, do not have the permits (Kitas) required for foreigners who stay or work in Indonesia.
"We'll call Persib Bandung and find out if [Essien and Cole] have completed all the required paperwork," Bandung Immigration Office inspector Agustianur told Antara news agency on Monday (17/04).
BOPI has frequently told Liga 1 executives to obey national law when signing foreign footballers, though many international players in the league have yet to acquire proper legal status, according to football watchdog organization Save Our Soccer.
According to a report by JawaPos, the agency said that at least eight foreign footballers signed to Liga 1 clubs have not acquired legal status.
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