Soccer: Police to probe passports scandal

Eighty footballers are to have their passports examined by police following claims that clubs are fielding illegal players.

Eighty footballers are to have their passports examined by police following claims that clubs are fielding illegal players.

The move comes after the so-called 'passports-for-sale' scandal where players born outside the European Union are competing on dual-nationality EU passports.

A spokesman for the police's National Criminal Intelligence Service said: "We have been approached to provide assistance and are willing to give any assistance we can."

Sports Minister Kate Hoey, Home Office representatives and the NCIS will meet next week and NCIS officials, working with the Home Office immigration department will examine the authenticity of European passports held by those players born outside the EU.

Hoey said: "Everyone who cares about the game and the integrity of football must be concerned at these allegations. These talks should enable us all to work out a co-ordinated approach to what is a Europe-wide problem."

The issue has become high profile following revelations about passports held by Newcastle United's 'Peruvian Greek' Nolberto Solano and Arsenal's 'Lithuanian Greek' Tomas Danilevicius.

The transfer of Arsenal's Brazilian Edu has also been under scrutiny.

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