Dong Fang Zhou

Its because China have spastic rules on dual nationality...

China coach Zhu Guanghu does not believe Manchester United striker Dong Fangzhou will take a European passport as the club hope, as it will rule him ineligible to represent his country.

The Chinese youngster, signed back in January 2004, has impressed during The Red Devils' pre-season campaign and Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that the 21-year-old could bypass work permit regulations by securing European nationality in December.

Dong will be able to take a European passport after spending three years on loan in Belgium with Royal Antwerp, leaving him free to finally start his career at Old Trafford.

However such a move would render his Chinese nationality invalid under the rules of the Asian country, meaning his international career would effectively be compromised.

Now Zhu, despite his delight at United's apparent high opinion of the player, has warned that Dong may not concede to their wishes regarding his nationality.

"I am very pleased that Manchester United have recognised Dong's ability as he is a very talented player," said Zhu.

"I know that he is capable of performing at a high level and it would be a great honour for him to play for Manchester United in The English Premier League.

"However, our government does not allow dual nationality and since Dong is an important member of the team that we are preparing for the 2008 Olympics, I don't think that he would give up his Chinese nationality in order to get a passport in Europe."

If Zhu is proved correct then United will still hope to secure a work permit on the basis that the forward has played four times for his country, or on appeal that he represents an outstanding talent.

"We could apply for a work permit on the fact the lad has played four times for China," said Ferguson earlier in the week.

"We might be able to get a work permit on potential as it stands on appeal."

He would probably HAVE to choose China, the government makes these choices relatively simple - do it or else!

Even if he gets a work permit, fergir need to play him in at least 75% of first team games (or some other percentage) in order for the work permit to be extended for future seasons. So getting the work permit might not solve the problem. Or has the law on work permit been altered??

Longlivekeano said:

Even if he gets a work permit, fergir need to play him in at least 75% of first team games (or some other percentage) in order for the work permit to be extended for future seasons. So getting the work permit might not solve the problem. Or has the law on work permit been altered??

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That's been changed because clubs were finding themselves stuck with players with no permits after one year and couldn't sell him to anyone. Permit is for the length of the player's contract and can be transfer to other clubs.

His name is Dong Fang ZhUO.

obviously he won't give up his chinese nationality, the only way he can play for United is to get the work permit.

it's not impossible though Dong has only played 4 international games. look at Kalou who got the permit despite his international cap is zero.

westlife4ever said:

His name is Dong Fang ZhUO.

obviously he won't give up his chinese nationality, the only way he can play for United is to get the work permit.

it's not impossible though Dong has only played 4 international games. look at Kalou who got the permit despite his international cap is zero.

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Chelsea went around the backdoor with their lawyers with Kalou. Otherwise, he wouldn't have got it.

Another problem with Dong getting a permit would be China's FIFA ranking taking a massive drop with the new system.

Really, the whole work permit arrangement is flawed.

The whole idea is to prevent people we don't need flooding in and taking jobs surely, so how football comes under this I have no idea.

Do they think Dong will come in, play at United for four years, then go into hiding so he can stay in England without the necessary paperwork?

snootyjim said:

Really, the whole work permit arrangement is flawed.

The whole idea is to prevent people we don't need flooding in and taking jobs surely, so how football comes under this I have no idea.

Do they think Dong will come in, play at United for four years, then go into hiding so he can stay in England without the necessary paperwork?

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It is exactly the same as in any other industry. A Chinese youngster in Uniteds reserve is 'taking away' a job from a youngster in this country, that is one way of looking at it. Of course the better talent that we buy the better the team, league, there are also some obvious financial implications with Dong so it would strengthen Man Utd who will then be able to expand their playing staff 'creating more jobs' for local youngsters.

Yeah but seriously - foreign football players account for so few permits a year, surely. English football clubs are at a massive disadvantage because of them in my view.

Even Park had his application rejected initially, I'm sure. What was that all about?

Apparently Dong is the best striker in China, so he will surely play enough international games to apply the work permit.

but even finally he has got the permit, it's a major concern whether he could play enough for United to maintain it.