 PLOT: To play in the English Premiership, if you are from outside  the EU, you have to have a work permit. You automatically qualify  for one if you have played in 75% of your national teams matches in  the past year. Otherwise, you have to go to a tribunal where it has  to be shown that you are an outstanding talent that is worthy of a  permit. Since he had to basically beg for a trial, it would be  highly unlikely that he would win a decision in a tribunal.