By Abu B. Shaw, London.
Christmas has definitely not come early for Sierra Leonean football star Alhassan Bangura(pictured) and his family. He is likely to be removed from the United Kingdom. It’s official.
Bangura’s appeal to remain in the UK was recently turned down by the Asylum and Immigration Authorities and could be deported to Sierra Leone anytime now.
The 19-year-old midfield machine, who recently became a dad for the first time, is obviously disappointed.
Bangura’s London club, the English Championship league leaders Watford FC are equally stunned when they heard the bad news.
The club’s website noted: “This is terrible news for Al and a big shock for everyone at the club. We are very sad he has not being granted leave to remain in the UK. We have instructed our legal team to begin another appeal to this decision.”
Watford FC, who are determined to fight this legal battle all the way, are confident that common sense and justice will prevail to allow Bangura to continue his life in the country.
A high profile support for Bangura has now come from Watford MP Claire Ward. The parliamentarian will be making her representation to the Home Office on Bangura’s behalf.
Alhassan Bangura came to the UK four years ago through a child trafficking network and he immediately applied for political asylum.
If he is returned to Sierra Leone, sources close to Bangura say, he would face persecution from the secret poro society which he was asked to join but refused. The Home Office did not however buy that story.
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