FOOTBALL: Petition launched after Austin offered big UK pay check but refused work permit

An online petition has been launched in an effort to get the United Kingdom Football Association to allow Reggae Boy Rodolph Austin to play club football there.

Austin has been refused a work permit under new rules which state that a player’s country of origin has to be in the top 50 in FIFA’s rankings over the last two years.

However, Jamaica is ranked at 76.

SEE: Online petition here

Austin has been offered a three-year contract with Sheffield Wednesday which would have made him one of their highest paid players.

However, he cannot take up the offer because of the new regulations.