Soccer: Welsh World Cup hopes hit by tatty passport

A Welsh footballer's tatty passport could stop him playing in a vital World Cup qualifier.

The Ukrainian embassy is refusing to grant John Hartson a visa ahead of next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier with Ukraine.

The embassy rejected the Coventry City star's application because his passport is ragged.

Now the Welsh are hoping Fifa will help solve the problem.

A Welsh FA spokesman said: "We've been trying to get visas sorted out for various players, but (the embassy) is just being awkward.

"John's visa is something we're hoping to get resolved in the next 24 hours."

An embassy spokeswomen said: "Our rules on visas are very strict, there are no exceptions. You need a visa to get into the Ukraine."