SEASIDERS chairman Karl Oyston is hoping the law surrounding work permits is changed to stop another transfer fiasco.

Blackpool are currently in the middle of an appeal for a permit for Estonian striker Indrek Zelinski after their original application was rejected.

But a final decision will be made in Manchester tomorrow (Sept 10) by a special panel, including FA and Football League spokesmen, who will report to the Department of Education and Employment to decide the hot-shot's fate.

If the striker is given the thumbs-up, he could make his debut at home for the Seasiders on September 18 against Bournemouth.

Zelinski has satisfied the number of international appearances to be granted a work permit by playing in over 75 per cent of Estonia's last 30 matches, but it is because Estonia fall outside the top 70 international clubs in FIFA's world rankings that he may not be given the go ahead to start training.

Currently Estonia are 84th, but thanks to Zelinski's influence and the team have risen from a lowly 97th.

Chairman Oyston said: "Our point is that how can the Department of Employment discriminate against an individual because of the team he plays in.

"They've only just changed this law to introduce the world ranking factor, but I feel it is wrong.

"To put this situation another way, if a player such as Trinidad and Tobago's Dwight Yorke had to apply for a work permit, without his British connections or valid passport, he wouldn't be allowed to play here because of their world ranking.

"Once again this law swings the balance of power back in favour of the big clubs. There's no way that a team like Blackpool could afford to sign a player from, for example the top 20 international teams in the world. It limits us and not the big clubs.

"But I do hope the panel say he can join us."

Don't forget to send your questions for Karl to answer via the Citizen.

Send them to: Citizen Newsdesk, St Annes Buildings, Clifton Drive North, St Annes, FY8 2NA, or fax us on 01253 723283.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.