Six Celtic stars deported in visa breach

Six Celtic Crusaders players are to be deported after immigration officials ruled they breached visa regulations.

It was reported last month that the Crusaders were found to be in breach of the rules, with the UK Border Agency saying visas to bring some players in to the country were insufficient.

The six players are Darren Mapp, Mark Dalle Cort, Josh Hannay, Jace Van Dijk, Tony Duggan and Damien Quinn who can no longer play for the club.

They have until Monday, 7 September to leave the country and are banned from the UK for 10 years.

Each of them has the right to appeal, but they can only do so after leaving the country.

A UK Border Agency statement read: “As the result of an intelligence-led investigation into possible immigration offences among players at Celtic Crusaders, we can confirm that six Australian nationals have been served with papers confirming that they are illegally present in the UK.

“We now expect these individuals to leave the country. If they refuse to do so voluntarily, we will enforce their removal.

“The players are prohibited from working in the UK with immediate effect.”