ian1964 10,724 Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 RACE AGAINST TIME Rangers’ Europa League rivals FC Ufa could sensationally have to FORFEIT their tie with Gers… handing Steven Gerrard’s side a walkover into group stages Club chiefs fear they won't have enough time for the entire team to be issued UK visas by the normal process in time for Thursday's game at Ibrox. FC UFA have sensationally revealed they will discover tomorrow if they have to forfeit their Europa League tie with Rangers because they can’t get a visa to visit the UK. The Ibrox side face a tricky encounter against the Russian side, with a place in the Group Stages the prize. The first leg is at Ibrox on Thursday and that’s presented a major problem for the Bashkortostan region side, who are in their first ever European campaign. Because of the short turnaround from their last game in Luxembourg against Progres Niederkorn on Thursday, they don’t have enough time for the entire team to be issued UK visas by the normal process. They are desperately hoping for their application to be fast tracked, but have admitted that may not be possible. Just last week, Russian cyclist Igor Frolov was unable to compete at the European Championships in Glasgow because he didn’t give himself enough time to get a UK visa. And Spartak Moscow were unable to send a youth team to the Milk Cup tournament in Northern Ireland this summer because of new visa restrictions. FC Ufa will plead with the UK Embassy in the city to speed up their application which usually takes a minimum of five days. But FC Ufa’s president Shamil Gazizov has revealed he’s far from certain they will be able to travel to Glasgow. He said: “We are actively engaged in trying to obtain British visas. But everyone must understand this is a very difficult and challenging situation. “After the game against Dinamo, we will go with our prepared documents to the British Embassy. “We hope they are able to accelerate the process, but we will know for certain what is happening on Monday. “We have been told even the accelerated process takes a minimum of five days so that would obviously not be enough time for us.” The recent tensions between the UK and Russia have led to a tightening of visa applications between the countries and the process has been significantly lengthened. Spartak were stunned when their visa application for their visit to Northern Ireland couldn’t be completed just last month and their executive director Ekaterina Anisimova said: “We are really disappointed that political questions can interfere with sporting and cultural events. “They have disturbed our player’s development and progress, as well as our goodwill.” A Home Office spokesman responded by stating: “All visa applications are considered on their individual merits. We do not routinely comment on specific cases.” If FC Ufa weren’t granted their visas on time, they would be left with no option but to forfeit the tie and allow Rangers a walkover into the Group Stages. https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/3087951/rangers-fc-ufa-forfeit-europa-league/ 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rousseau 10,640 Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
compo 7,050 Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Would be nice 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RANGERRAB 3,677 Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Why would they have to forfeit the tie when it’s not their fault ? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo79 15,294 Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 4 minutes ago, RANGERRAB said: Why would they have to forfeit the tie when it’s not their fault ? It kind of is. They'll sort it out anyway, I reckon. This is just clickbait from a gutter rag. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooponthewing 1,139 Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Can’t see why it wouldn’t be fastracked? 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buster. 5,199 Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Nothing to see............They'll get the visa's ! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
der Berliner 3,747 Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Clickbait ... and one wonders whether we could travel first. Would be nice, since we'd have an OF appointment the weekend after the 2nd leg ... and not having to travel from Russia would ease preparations ... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
26th of foot 6,084 Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Such good fortune is ONLY reserved for Yahoos. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo79 15,294 Posted August 19, 2018 Share Posted August 19, 2018 6 minutes ago, der Berliner said: and one wonders whether we could travel first. I'd feel gutted for any Bears who have booked flights if that were to happen. 0 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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