Dempsey’s English Fate to Be Decided Wednesday

According to the Guardian Unlimited (see paragraph 9), the tribunal deciding whether or not to approve Clint Dempsey’s work permit will be held this Wednesday. There, Fulham Manager Chris Coleman will take his appeal to the Professional Footballers Association in hopes that they will approve Dempsey’s work permit, thus permitting him to play for the English club.

Major League Soccer and Fulham F.C. have already agreed to a transfer fee, however Dempsey doesn’t currently meet the European Union requirement stating that a foreign player must have played in 75% of his national team’s most recent matches.

If Coleman’s appeal is accepted, we could see Dempsey join fellow MNT players Bocanegra and McBride on the pitch this season. However, if the association denies Dempsey a work permit, like they did to Convey in 2003, the current New England Revolution star may have to wait another year before heading over seas.

I think Dempsey will be approved. He had a stellar performance at the 2006 World Cup, playing beautifuly against the Azzurri, and scoring the US National Team’s only goal against Ghana. If the PFA is only concerned with making sure footballers playing in their country deserve to be there, hence the 75% of most recent matches rule, then there isn’t much question that Dempsey fits the profile. However, we’ll have to wait and see until Wednesday.