Select Committee on Education and Employment Minutes of Evidence


Scottish Panel held on 30 November in Edinburgh

SUMMARY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE REVIEW PANEL

PANEL MEMBERS

    Frank Coulson—Scottish Football Association;

    Pat Stanton—Independent expert;

    Tony Higgins—Scottish Professional Footballers Association;

    Bob Crampsey—Independent expert;

    Iain Blair—Scottish Premier League Limited.

Application by Aberdeen Football Club for a work permit for Hicham Zerouali

  The Panel considered evidence from the Club consisting of a written submission expanding on their application, testimonials from a number of people in the game, including Craig Brown, Scottish National Coach; Gordon Strachan, Manager of Coventry City Football Club; Henri Michel, Manager of Morocco national team and Ivica Todorov, Manager FUSFC.

  The Panel watched a video supplied by Aberdeen Football Club and took oral evidence from Ebbe Skovdahl, Team Manager, David Johnston, Operations Manager and Keith Burkinshaw, Chief Scout.

  After watching the video the Panel were of the opinion that Zerouali was a quick, strong player, showing good ball control with either foot and he displayed a good all round tactical awareness in the highlighted games. Their reaction was that he was certainly better than the players in the current Aberdeen First Team squad. There was some concern that even though the Panel unanimously agreed that the player met the criteria, up and coming Scottish players would find their First Team opportunities restricted as a result if a permit was granted. However, they acknowledged the remit of the Panel and the scope of what they were being asked to consider and decide.

  Taking evidence from the Club, the Panel asked the Aberdeen manager whether he thought that Zeroulai was better than the current younger First Team fringe players. Mr Skovdahl said he certainly thought he was a better player and went on to explain that the younger players needed competition to demonstrate the standard they needed to reach in order to become regular Premier League players. He also pointed out that the team had suffered a significant number of injuries and there was a need to improve the size of the squad. He stated that they were looking for more technically gifted players but, despite a wide search within the domestic market, they had been unable to find suitable players at an affordable price. The team are currently bottom of the Premier League and lacking confidence which made it difficult to successfully introduce young Scottish players, although the Club have used two young players consistently this season and demonstrated their commitment to developing such players in their recent domestic purchases. Keith Burkenshaw said that he had seen the player in action twice and he was a genuinely exciting player who in his opinion would be an extremely good role model for Aberdeen's young players. David Johnston emphasised the Club's commitment to youth development and confirmed that they will be spending £750,000 this year on their Academy activities. The Panel also asked whether any other clubs had shown an interest in signing Zerouali. David Johnston confirmed that Nantes were keen on signing him but that Zerouali recognised Aberdeen was a bigger club and had decided to join them accordingly.

  After considering all of the evidence the Panel unanimously agreed that Zerouali was a player of the highest calibre and would make a significant contribution to the Scottish game. Accordingly, they recommended that a work permit be issued for the three years requested.


 
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Prepared 30 March 2000