Portsmouth's new signing Collins Mbesuma has been denied a work permit.
Portsmouth will have to argue their case for new signing Collins Mbesuma to be handed a work permit.The Zambian striker's application for a permit was never expected to go through - with the player and his new club aware that Zambia did not fill the criteria.
A club must be ranked in the top 70 countries under current rules for a work permit to be issued and although Zambia are right on the cusp they do not fulfil that requirement.
In a statement on their official website, Portsmouth indicated that they had immediately started to prepare for an appeal and would plead their case to a tribunal.
"Striker Collins Mbesuma has been turned down for a work permit and the club are now in the process of lodging an appeal against the ruling," confirmed the club.
Mbesuma's agent Mike Makaab told Kick Off that the player was still confident of completing his dream Premiership move.
"There are no grey areas in the English Premiership. The rules are strict and they stand," said Makaab.
"But there has been an appeal and next week, Thursday we will know the outcome."
