The grown ups at Hull KR signed Todd Carney for the qualifiers, well aware of his startling history and two previous refusals at the UK border. He is signed July 7, when HKR are well aware they will be in the qualifiers and very likely playing in Toronto. He arrives in the UK on July 22 or thereabouts and, amazingly, is admitted. Hull KR presumably used lawyers to persuade the UK border chaps that Carney was a reformed character or whatever. There isn't much time to get Carney processed for the trip to Toronto. All hands on deck. And yet the Hull Daily Mail, in a story full of speculation and no direct quotes, starts stirring the pot: how dreadful it is that three players may have to miss a day's training!

Here's another take: with only days or weeks notice, the Canadian High Commission has made its staff available to conduct personal interviews for three Hull KR players, including a very recent signing who really should not be allowed into Canada given his long-standing criminal history. Canada bends over backwards to help and the Hull Daily Mail has managed to turn it into a criticism.

If Carney is refused admission to Canada, and he should be, then the whingeing will be deafening and expect all kinds of hellfire on Toronto, the Wolfpack, the RFL, the league, expansion, na na na na na.

But if that's what happens, the blame lies with Hull KR for signing this dodgy bag of tricks in the first place, if they actually expected to take him to Toronto. I hope this wind up is just an attempt by the Hull Daily Mail to sell papers and not the official position of the club.

You know what we like in Toronto? For all clubs to show up happy, with a full squad, and a management that views the trip as a positive.

But these contracted guys who act like idiots and get in trouble who can play for against at least 30+other clubs but can't play against Toronto, it just doesn't wash from my perspective.

and poutine, hockey and lacrosse

People voted for Brexit because they wanted to 'control the borders' so we didn't get 'criminals from other countries' coming here. Now when Canada does the same thing you want to cry about it. lol

hey as a Leeds fan in the 4 years its been going we have been either champions twice or in the middle 8's its a system

The OP is totally misleading, the issues are nothing to do with Toronto. Opponents’ actual or perceived difficulties are with the system not the club or the competition.

Whats Brexit got to do with it, the problem is quite fundamental, certain players are restricted in playing against one particular club, that is not a fair competition.

What it has to do is that people traveling to different countries need to do different things to get into those countries. This is how the world works. If you want an open borders policy or visa-free travel to Canada then write to the Home Office and ask them to negotiate it, or lobby your local MP.

relating to the article quoted by the OP, it is perhaps worth noting that it is not supported by any [urecent[/u quote from Hull KR. Also, for those unfamiliar with the local KuH rugby bubble, James Smailes is big fan of Hull F.C. and his coverage of Hull KR is not always universally acclaimed by fans of the red and whites.

A UK passport holder does not need a visa to enter Canada unless they are going there to work long term or for a Canadian company.

I thought this but was too lazy to look it up..... I've been to Toronto on business over a dozen times...... Never had to get a visa and that was on an Irish Passport.

And whose fault is that? Why should Toronto be punished because of the actions of a few non-Toronto players?

You expressed concern for the individuals with visa problems and worry about their future employment yet what about the 20-30 players at Toronto who have been pushing for promotion. Null and voiding games would have significant impact on their careers and lives, is that fine for you?

That doesn't happen though certain players will be refused entry and as a result clubs will have to compete with a weakened team, I repeat thats not a fair competition, its as simple as that.

Does this issue impact other sports in the same way? Do NFL sides need their 100 strong enterages vetted before playing Wembley..... So soccer clubs have issues traveling or union....... Or is it just we attract this caliber of criminal to our sport

The title of the thread is misleading. There are no visa issues with the wolfpac. The title should be “visa issues for clubs who employ criminals”

Regards

King James

I wonder if any club in Super League, the Championship, or League 1, does not employ 'criminals' as you put it, within the definition of the Canadian visa issuing process?

Canada introduced eTA (electronic Travel Authorization) requirements in mid-2016 for visa-exempt foreign nationals (including UK, European, Australian among others) arriving by air or transiting through a Canadian airport. US passport holders are exempt. If you're a Canadian dual national, you need an eTA if you're not travelling on a Canadian passport. You need an eTA to BOARD YOUR FLIGHT. The US has a similar requirement.

It's a very easy and cheap online process, and acceptance is automatic as long as you can answer 'no' to the following questions:

"Have you ever been refused a visa or permit, denied entry to, or ordered to leave Canada or any other country/territory?"
"Have you ever committed, been arrested for, been charged with or convicted of any criminal offence in any country/territory?"

These two last questions are no doubt why certain rugby league folk are having trouble being allowed into Canada.

That’s part of the problem isn’t it. Let’s say we have 3 players from 2 teams who have committed GBH those 2 teams are Toronto and Leigh.
Toronto would probably be able to play there 3 players in the away game in the UK. However the 3 players from Leigh are likely to be refused entry and not be able to play in Canada.

You've assumed players with GBH convictions would be allowed into Canada to play for Wolfpack in the first place.

Is this the same Toronto club who employed Ryan Bailey?

What if the 3 Toronto players with the criminalty are actually Canadian born and bred.

What if the three Leigh players were actually Canadian born and bred?

Then don’t employ players with GBH offences if you’re so worried about it.

Quote ="Call Me God"I thought this but was too lazy to look it up..... I've been to Toronto on business over a dozen times...... Never had to get a visa and that was on an Irish Passport.'" List of nationalities that don't require a visa to enter Canada here apply-eta.com/target.php Virtually every professional player would not need one.

Quote ="Call Me God"I thought this but was too lazy to look it up..... I've been to Toronto on business over a dozen times...... Never had to get a visa and that was on an Irish Passport.'" List of nationalities that don't require a visa to enter Canada here apply-eta.com/target.php Virtually every professional player would not need one.

Then that would be fair enough, but we haven’t got that have we and currently the rest of the RL clubs are handicapped., how long would this situation last, 5,10,15,20 years.