Spare a thought then for poor former England flanker Hendre Fourie who is now facing deportation to South Africa while known terrorists are being wrapped in cotton wool.
Fourie (33) was recently forced to retire from rugby because of a shoulder injury. He has live in the UK for eight years, but after losing his rugby contract it means his visa is no longer valid. The former Leeds and Rotherham player won eight caps for England.
We can understand that he is duly peed off. He told The Times: “I can play for England but I can’t get a passport to stay in the country. It has been a red-tape nightmare and we just decided it was not worth all the hassle. If I had remained on a sports visa for another two years, I would have got residency, but unless someone is willing to give me another contract, that is not going to happen.
“My wife is South African, but my boy was born here and I would like to have stayed here and tried to get a teaching job. There were options to appeal but I would have had to wait another few years before I could get my permanent residency. It has been a red-tape nightmare and we just decided it was not worth all the hassle.
“That’s the amazing thing – I am not able to claim any benefits in this country. I have always paid my taxes, have represented England, but I have to leave while you hear how they protect the rights of terrorists. I am not angry. We have a lot of family in South Africa, which will be good for Hendro [his 18-month-old son] but it is just frustrating the way things have worked out.”
Hendre, you might not be angry, but we are.
