PFAI moves to block Payne move

The Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland (PFAI) has blocked Shamrock Rovers' work permit application for new goalkeeper Russell Payne.

The American signed for Rovers last month from German side SV Elversberg but the PFAI has refused to supply the necessary letter of approval to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in such applications for non-EU Nationals wishing to play in the eircom League.

The PFAI said it objected to the Rovers request for Payne as the club owed wages to existing squad members.

A PFAI statement said: “The fact that the club wish to add another player to an already unmanageable wage bill will jeopardise the possibility of the current players receiving monies owed.

“The eircom League continually turn a blind eye to this issue and allow clubs to sign players in the full knowledge that these clubs cannot afford to meet their financial commitments to their current players.”

PFAI general secretary Fran Gavin added: “No club in the league should be allowed sign any player while monies are still owed to current squad members.

“We have informed the Department of our reasons for objecting and while the final decision is with the Department we trust that they will take our observations into consideration.”