LONDON , England -- The British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has been asked to intervene after Iraqi international Nashat Akram was refused a work permit . Nashat Akram was hoping to become the first Iraqi footballer to play in England . Akram starred in Iraq 's Asian Cup-winning team last year and was set to play for Premier League Manchester City . But the 24-year-old can not come to the United Kingdom because a technicality in immigration rules for footballers . To gain a work permit , the player 's national side must be in the top 70 of the FIFA world rankings and Iraq has a highest ranking of 71 . Akram 's supporters say this is because Iraq can not play matches at home because of the security situation and are calling for the decision to be reversed . Keith Vaz , a member of the ruling Labour party , said : `` I shall be calling on the home secretary to review this decision . `` Here we have someone who wants to come and work legitimately , a role model for his country , whose presence here can heal divisions in Iraq . `` Parliament has given ministers the right to exercise their discretion and they should use it . `` This case sends out all the wrong messages . '' City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson told the club 's Web site : `` This is a big blow and a great disappointment to us . I have huge sympathy for Nashat . He is a very good footballer with an excellent international pedigree . `` He has now returned to the Middle East and we will keep in touch with him . He is somebody who we will maintain an interest in for the long term . '' City have already lost an appeal to the Home Office ruling , but the Iraqi government has now taken up the cause . Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told the Associated Press a letter has been sent to the British Ambassador in Iraq . Midfielder Akram , who was born in Hilla , currently plays for Al-Ain in the United Arab Emirates . He came to international prominence with his performances in the Asian Cup and became a symbol of hope at home with posters featuring a smiling Akram plastered on walls around Baghdad with the slogan `` The dream came true because of our determination and zeal . '' Earlier this month , Watford midfielder Al Bangura , from Sierra Leone , was granted a work permit after a decision to deport him was overturned following a well-supported campaign by football fans and a local member of parliament , Claire Ward . E-mail to a friend .
Star Iraqi player Nashat Akram is refused a work permit for United Kingdom . Nashat was poised to sign for Sven-Goran Eriksson 's Manchester City side . British home secretary Jacqui Smith is being asked to intervene in the case .