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