Essien, Cole escape jail sentence News

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Essien, Cole escape jail sentence

By Stephen Amos on April 19, 2017

Former Chelsea stars, Michael Essien and Carlton Cole have escaped jail sentence after the Indonesian authorities opted to freeze their registration for flouting immigration rules.

Essien and Cole made their debuts for new club Persib Bandung on the opening day of the new Indonesia Premier League last Saturday but it emerged they did so without necessary documentation.

An Indonesian government-backed Professional Sports Agency charged Persib for a breach of the country’s immigration and work permit rules by using the two players in the game against Arema FC which ended goalless – one which could have attracted hefty fines up to 500 million Indonesian Rupiahs (about £30,000) and a prison sentence of up to 5 years.

Persib Bandung had responded that they received permission from the Indonesian Football Association, insisting they had done no wrong.

However, after questioning the players and club officials Tuesday, immigration authorities have decided to prevent the players from further playing till their work permits are completed by the club.

“Today we gave a strong warning to Persib in the form of a letter saying that as long as Persib had not completed the permits, which should be issued by the manpower ministry, we are banning Essien and Cole from playing,” Maulia Purnamawati, the immigration chief in Bandung, the city where the club is based said.

Meanwhile, the secretary-general of the Indonesia FA, Joko Driyono has confirmed giving approval to Persib to field the players due to the slow pace involved in the work permit process. © supersport.com

•Photo shows former Chelsea star Michael Essien.

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 19, 2017