New hope for Bangura

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The 19-year-old was refused leave to stay in the UK last week and was set to be deported to his native Sierra Leone, but after a meeting with Home Office minister Liam Byrne the club have been handed the option of applying for a work permit.

Labour MP Claire Ward - who brokered the meeting and has been a staunch supporter of Bangura's case - said: "We've been offered another avenue which we hope will allow Al to remain in the country."

She added: "Liam Byrne has given a concession which will allow Watford Football Club to apply for a work permit for Al and for Al to remain in the country while that happens. This is exceptional news."

Bangura's chances of attaining a work permit would normally be slim as he is uncapped and Sierra Leone are outside the top 70 nations in FIFA's rankings.

But Ward hopes that the inclusion of members of the football world on a panel will help his case.

She said: "Because Al wouldn't qualify automatically for a work permit his case will be considered by an independent panel which will include members of the Home Office and members of the football world.

"They will consider his track record and what he brings to the game and then recommend to the Home Office whether he should be allowed to stay.

"At the same time the lawyers will be submitting Al's appeal through the legal process to the tribunal's decision so we have two ways now to sort this out.

"We have moved a step further and it's a matter now for the panel to judge the sort of things that Watford fans have been seeing over the last few seasons which is just how good Al is."