www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 66,00.html A NEW twist has emerged in the Greg Bird saga, with French rugby league powerhouse Catalans the latest club interested in picking up the pieces of his career. The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that Bird's management has been in discussions with the Super League club, in a bid to gain a backdoor entry to the competition. The move is intended for Bird to bypass visa restrictions that have blocked him from entering the UK and taking up a three-year deal with English Super League club Bradford. Catalans officials have confirmed their interest in Bird after manager Chris Orr contacted the Perpignan-based club last Friday.

www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 66,00.html A NEW twist has emerged in the Greg Bird saga, with French rugby league powerhouse Catalans the latest club interested in picking up the pieces of his career. The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that Bird's management has been in discussions with the Super League club, in a bid to gain a backdoor entry to the competition. The move is intended for Bird to bypass visa restrictions that have blocked him from entering the UK and taking up a three-year deal with English Super League club Bradford. Catalans officials have confirmed their interest in Bird after manager Chris Orr contacted the Perpignan-based club last Friday.

Have you posted this on every forum to advertise Greg Bird ?

wouldn't he still need a visa to enter the UK?

No, he wouldn't surely. An Australian passport would permit short term travel into the UK surely? A lot of the NL clubs have used Aussies on holiday terms before.

you find the backdoor loophole appealing

It all depends on the outcome of his courtcase

birdbrain is landing in france tomorrow

why is it a backdoor loophole? Catalan has every right to sign him if they choose to.

why would i do that

CRONULLA Sharks' rising Kiwi star Fraser Anderson's move to rugby follows the decision by his Sharks team-mate Dustin Cooper to also take up a Japanese rugby contract. The Sharks yesterday denied any moves had been made, but they are likely to begin negotiations with off contract Melbourne player Michael Crocker, who has played under coach Ricky Stuart for Australia and at the Roosters stgeorge.yourguide.com.au/news/l ... 44105.aspx

CRONULLA Sharks' rising Kiwi star Fraser Anderson's move to rugby follows the decision by his Sharks team-mate Dustin Cooper to also take up a Japanese rugby contract. The Sharks yesterday denied any moves had been made, but they are likely to begin negotiations with off contract Melbourne player Michael Crocker, who has played under coach Ricky Stuart for Australia and at the Roosters stgeorge.yourguide.com.au/news/l ... 44105.aspx

birdbrain signed 9 month contract today

www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 66,00.html BANISHED Cronulla star Greg Bird last night finally broke his silence about a controversial move to France by declaring: "I was over the constant harassment in Australia." Bird, 25, yesterday modelled his new Catalans jumper in the southern French city of Perpignan and is set to debut for the club on Sunday morning (AEDT) against Castleford in Super League. Angry at his critics yet excited at playing again, Bird opened up to The Daily Telegraph, saying from France: "I'm just relieved to be over here and back in a football environment and back around a team again. I just want to play footy again. "I'm enjoying it over here away from the constant harassment. I was over the judgmental people (in Australia).

www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 66,00.html BANISHED Cronulla star Greg Bird last night finally broke his silence about a controversial move to France by declaring: "I was over the constant harassment in Australia." Bird, 25, yesterday modelled his new Catalans jumper in the southern French city of Perpignan and is set to debut for the club on Sunday morning (AEDT) against Castleford in Super League. Angry at his critics yet excited at playing again, Bird opened up to The Daily Telegraph, saying from France: "I'm just relieved to be over here and back in a football environment and back around a team again. I just want to play footy again. "I'm enjoying it over here away from the constant harassment. I was over the judgmental people (in Australia).

FORMER NRL star Greg Bird was "the victim" when he allegedly assaulted a young woman in a Cronulla nightclub, Sutherland Local Court heard yesterday. The 25-year-old, who on Thursday flew in from France where he is playing for the Catalans rugby league team, had his one common assault charge upgraded to five charges but believes the evidence of three security guards and security video will clear him. "Three security officers are able not only to give evidence, but to give evidence to the effect that he was the victim in this matter," his solicitor Patrick Conaghan told the court. Gallery: A portrait of Greg Bird www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 21,00.html

FORMER NRL star Greg Bird was "the victim" when he allegedly assaulted a young woman in a Cronulla nightclub, Sutherland Local Court heard yesterday. The 25-year-old, who on Thursday flew in from France where he is playing for the Catalans rugby league team, had his one common assault charge upgraded to five charges but believes the evidence of three security guards and security video will clear him. "Three security officers are able not only to give evidence, but to give evidence to the effect that he was the victim in this matter," his solicitor Patrick Conaghan told the court. Gallery: A portrait of Greg Bird www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/s ... 21,00.html

The interesting thing about this case is that last time I checked people are innocent until proven guilty and it seems Greg Bird has been tried and found guilty before he's even walked into a court room. It's disgusting the treatment he's had from the press and from the UK border controlls who regularly let in all sorts of dross (and dross that just scabs off our benefits systems rather than pays tax like Bird would).

I dont know all the facts of the case and I would imagine not many people do, just because there's a bloody woman involved doesnt mean they are automatically innocent. On nights out I have been attacked by some very nasty women (one particular one was a case of mistaken identity where a howling banshee of a woman tried to bottle me ..). If they guy is guilty he deserves all the abuse and punishment he can get but if he is in fact innocent I hope all aussie press and all the others who have slaughtered him come up with an equally public appology.

bird has 2 court cases going

and ? last time I checked he hasnt been found guilty of anything and unless he breaks his bail conditions (i.e not turning up at court) he is innocent until proven guilty. Trial by media is not a fair trial.

Whilst he is innocent until proven guilty, UK Immigration Rules permit an ECO to refuse a visa to an individual who [imay[/i be an undesirable person where there are outstanding/unresolved criminal proceedings.

Until such time that he has been acquitted of the charges he faces he is unlikely to be given entry clearance to the UK.

Even via the French route he could be refused entry on arrival in the UK if he does travel to the UK with Catalans.

like yesterday

Was he refused entry?

no he played . in the uk . with the dragons