Aurier barred from Britain for Arsenal tie: PSG
PARIS Saint-Germain defender Serge Aurier has been barred from Britain and was set to miss the club’s Champions League tie against Arsenal last night after British authorities revoked his visa.
The French champions called the decision “incomprehensible” but Britain’s Interior Ministry said it was acting according to established immigration rules.
“Paris Saint-Germain is stunned by this incomprehensible situation that attacks the very integrity of the UEFA Champions League,” the club said on Tuesday, adding that it was because of Aurier’s September conviction for assaulting a police officer outside a Paris nightclub.
The French champions made clear their anger with British authorities, especially because they said they were only informed of the final decision on Tuesday lunchtime, calling that “a flagrant lack of respect for the club”.
PSG said that they lobbied against the decision to no avail and were further angered by the fact that the final ruling came so late.
The 23-year-old Aurier has not spent any time in prison, despite being sentenced to t wo mont hs’ ja i l for t he assault, and has f iled an appeal.
However, Britain’s Interior Ministry stood by its decision.
“Mr Aurier received a two month custodial sentence in September for assaulting a police officer. The immigration rules clearly state that non-EU nationals who have received a custodial sentence of less than 12 months within the last five years will be refused on criminality grounds,” a statement from the ministry said.
However, Andrew Osborne, head of immigration and joint head of sport at London-based law firm Lewis Silkin, criticised a “harsh decision” he said was another example of the British government’s “hostile” immigration policy.
“Given that the player has given full disclosure of the offence, that he will only be in the UK for a very short period and that he has an outstanding appeal, this seems a harsh decision,” Osborne said.
“The timing of the initial approval and then late change of heart to revoke the visa is also tough and causes PSG maximum difficulty. This looks like another example of the ‘hostile’ immigration environment that the current Government want to cultivate.”