Now foreign footballers must carry UK ID cards

FOREIGN footballers will have to carry an identity card in future to prove who they are. Professionals from outside the European Union playing in the UK will have to apply for a card when they renew their visas, the Home Office said.

That could include the likes of Rangers' Maurice Edu, Celtic's Zhi Zheng and Hibs' Moroccan midfielder Merouane Zemmama, as well as English-based players such as Robinho and Didier Drogba. Currently, holders of student and marriage visas must apply for a card when it expires. A total of 130,000 visas have been issued since the scheme was launched in November 2008. From today, all skilled workers, as well as religious ministers and professional sportsmen and women, are included. The immigration minister, Phil Woolas, said: "Identity cards are a secure and simple way for foreign nationals to prove they are entitled to live, work or study in the UK. The biometric data contained on the card ties migrants to one identity and prevents those here illegally from benefiting from the privileges of life in Britain." Source: The Scotsman Information shared and circulated by Eagle Technologies Ltd +44 (0) 1344 303 700 Sales@EagleTechnologies.co.uk http://www.EagleTechnologies.co.uk Join us on LinkedIn http://uk.linkedin.com/in/chrisrayner2008 To join The Community for ID Card Professionals, please click the link below and start benefiting from new contacts, ideas and general industry chat today. http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=2618171&trk=anet_ug_grppro follow us on... http://www.twitter.com/Eagle_ID http://www.facebook.com/EagleTechnologies How To Find & Sell. "IDentify Your Target Market" http://idcards.posterous.com/how-to-find-and-sell-identify-your-target-mar Eagle Technologies End of Year Message from Chris Rayner (Managing Director) http://idcards.posterous.com/eagle-technologies-end-of-year-message-from-c Eagle Technologies Ltd is a world leading multi-brand desktop card printer product distributor providing all leading card printer and consumables brands, plastic cards, badge holders/lanyards, in/out of warranty repair solutions (including onsite services), card badging software, and a comprehensive bureau card personalisation and fulfillment offering. Eagle sells to resellers and adds value by providing a variety of products and services, including Plus-Ribbon (compatible with zebra, Datacard, Magicard and Fargo ID card printers), Plus-Clean & Plus-Card. Our mission is to grow the business of resellers by providing the services and tools which make them more efficient, effective and successful. Eagle customers have access to the industry's leading vendors, one of largest product inventories, and the broadest range of value-added services available. …offices in the UK, Europe & USA.

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