You are here: Home News Dutch News Feyenoord's Kalou fails to go Dutch
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


20/03/2006Feyenoord's Kalou fails to go Dutch

20 March 2006

AMSTERDAM — Dutch Immigration and Integration Minister Rita Verdonk announced on Monday her refusal to grant Feyenoord star Salomon Kalou accelerated naturalisation is definite.

Her decision makes it increasingly unlikely the 20-year-old footballer from the Ivory Coast will be available for selection by Holland's eleven for the world Cup in Germany this summer.

Verdonk informed him on Monday that he does not meet all the requirements for accelerated naturalisation. Kalou would have to pass a naturalisation test of the Dutch language and culture and provide convincing evidence he intends to stay in the Netherlands in order to be eligible to play for the Dutch team.

Kalou failed the naturalisation exam in November last year. He can seek to retake the exam after 9 May this year. Should he pass the exam and meet the other conditions, he could re-lodge an application for fast-track naturalisation. It is doubtful, however, whether he could have a Dutch passport in time for the selection of the Dutch team.

National coach Marco van Basten and football legend Johan Cruyff have lobbied on Kalou's behalf, arguing he would be a significant addition to the national side. Verdonk has said her advisors don't agree and she wants Kalou to follow the normal process.

She turned down his original request for the fast-track process but a court ordered the Minister to look at the application again. Verdonk has now dismissed Kalou's appeal against her original refusal as ungrounded.

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP 2006]

Subject: Dutch news




0 reactions to this article

Discussion Forums

Discuss Dutch Culture

Is it forbidden to apologize?, by stone

Netherlands Soapbox

Random Thought of the Day, by wesley-nl

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

Why does inburgering people insist to meet me?, by osita

Legal Problems in the Netherlands

Tax declarations for an ex-partner - how long to submit them?, by ouloveit1

Netherlands Soapbox

CRAPOLA TV., by mr.fook

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Setting up home in the Netherlands

Setting up home in the Netherlands

A guide to telephone, internet and television along with utility services water, electricity and gas in the Netherlands.

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Lost in the Dutch immigration system? Look no further than this guide compiled for our Survival Guide 2009.

The Netherlands at a glance

The Netherlands at a glance

Some basic facts and figures about living and working in the Netherlands.

Giving birth in the Netherlands

Giving birth in the Netherlands

The challenges and benefits of the maternity system in the Netherlands and how it differs to other countries.