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Newcastle United midfielder once again withdraws from international squad due to fears he couldn’t return to UK

5 years ago
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After Saturday’s game at Old Trafford, Newcastle United fans have yet another two week gap to ‘look forward to’ due to an international break.

We had one in September and then there will be another in November, crazy the way it disrupts club football so much.

Amongst those selected for their international squads was Mohammed Sangare.

Only 19 but the young NUFC midfielder has been called up for the full Liberia squad.

However, last month he was also called up for his debut but had to withdraw (see below), and he’s had to do the same again this time.

Mohammed Sangare is still waiting for his UK residence permit to be re-issued and if had still travelled to play for Liberia, there is every chance he would have struggled to get back into the UK.

The 19 year old says he has to wait until November for an appointment and so as well as having to miss two African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo, he is more than likely to miss November’s internationals as well.

This sounds like the kind of situation where if you were high profile, there would be no doubt a way found to have a residence permit sorted far quicker

Mo Sangare:

“I can’t wait to play for Liberia but it’s this resident permit that is holding me back.

“I have spoken to my manager and he wants me to go and play for Liberia. I really want to go to Liberia.

“This residence permit is out of my control now and there is nothing I can do about it, I have chased it up and the next appointment is in November.”

Liberia Head Coach Thomas Kojo:

“He would have been a big advantage for us having a player with his height and quality. We need players like that in our national teams.

“We were robbed out those qualities when he played DR Congo. They have a lot of big and strong players and they used that advantage against us by playing a lot of long and direct balls.

“So a player like Sangare coming into our team is a plus for us.”

The Mag – 6 September 2018:

Newcastle United have a two week international break with a number of players away with their national squad.

However, one of them has now had to drop out due to an unusual reason.

Only 19, midfielder Mohammed Sangare has made excellent progress in the younger age groups for Newcastle and Liberia called him up for their African Cup of Nations qualifier on Sunday.

Liberia facing DR Congo in the group match, the opposition without former NUFC defender Chancel Mbemba as the Porto player is injured.

As for  Mohammed Sangare, he has had to withdraw over fears he wouldn’t be able to get back into the UK after international duty.

The 19 year old unable to travel because he does not have a copy of his UK residence permit.

Mohammed Sangare was born in Liberia but has lived in England since the age of 14.

Altogether, Liberia called up 13 overseas players and Sangare wasn’t alone, as striker Terrance Tisdell who now plays in Portugal has also had to drop out to not having a residence permit to hand.

Liberia FA:

“Mohammed Sangare (from Newcastle United) has a valid Liberian passport but if he travels to Monrovia without his residence permit, getting back (into the UK) will give him problems.

“We thought it would be in the best interest of all parties that he secures his document before coming to Monrovia.

“He tried to fast-track the issuance of his residence permit, which went missing – but it will be issued next week.”

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