Former Chelsea star Michael Essien has been banned from playing in the Indonesian league until he obtains a work permit.
Essien along with his teammate Carlton Cole was hauled before the government-backed Professional Sports Agency after they were found to have made their debuts on Saturday for Persib Bandung despite not possessing work permits.
After questioning the players and club officials Tuesday, Indonesia's immigration authorities said the players were banned from playing till they acquired the necessary documentation.
"Today we gave a strong warning to Persib in the form of a letter saying that as long as Persib had not completed the permits, which should be issued by the manpower ministry, we are banning Essien and Cole from playing," said Maulia Purnamawati, the immigration chief in Bandung, the city where the club is based. Persib has accepted the verdict and has vowed to get the work permits with the assistance of the Indonesian Football Association.
Joko Driyono, the secretary-general of the country's football association, said they would help the club in obtaining the documents admitting that they gave the approval for them to be fielded in the first place because the process to get the permits was "not easy nor fast".
Essien and Cole could have faced much stiffer sanctions as the punishment for flouting Indonesian immigrations laws can be harsh with fines of up to £30,000 and 5 years of imprisonment.
Source: Daily Graphic
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Their club was supposed to do all the paper work (work permit) for them immediately they arrived in the country. Essien should come to the States and leave the Asians alone! Columbus Crew Columbus Crew Columbus Crew!!!!
Sensationalism kwa! Ah Peacefmonline.
Pity, but I applaud Indonesia for the fact that their laws are working. Ghana should take a cue from this.