There is possible good news for Chilean footballer Mark Gonzalez, as he waits to play his first game for his new club Liverpool FC. In August he was refused a work permit to play in Britain, until Chile broke into, and stayed in the top 70 of the FIFA rankings.

As of the latest FIFA rankings, Chile are now ranked 63rd in the world, and look likely to stay there for at least the next three months.

Gonzalez has been unable to represent Chile for the past 6 months, due to a serious cruciate ligament injury that he picked up two weeks before the end of the last season against fellow La Liga rivals Levante, on May 8 when he was still playing for Albacete. He is now close to full fitness.

23 year old Gonzalez, who has 13 International caps for Chile, and 3 International goals to his name, started his career in Chile with Universidad Catolica Santiago, and then moved to Europe with a spell at Spanish La Liga side Albacete before moving to Premiership giants, and European Cup holders Liverpool. His work permit application, however, was rejected due to Chile's position outside the top 70 FIFA world rankings at the time. As of November 2005 Chile are now ranked 63rd in the world.

Liverpool FC officials attended the hearing in London to argue the player's case, but were dismayed when the panel threw out the appeal. Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez and the club’s Chief Executive Rick Parry argued that the player was easily good enough to warrant a permit, and of the player's ability to make a significant contribution to the development of the English game. But the appeal board disagreed and upheld the original decision.

The rules on whether a player is granted automatic entry are clear. He must have played in at least 75% of International matches for his country in the two years before the application, while the player's country must regularly make the top 70 in the world rankings.

There was also the issue of how relevant Gonzalez's expected salary was in their decision. The Home Office guidelines clearly state that no salary information need be included in an application. Yet Rafa Benitez felt that Gonzalez's relatively low wages, compared to that of the average Premiership player, led the board to turn down the application on the basis that he was likely only be a bit part player in the Liverpool team.

Benitez insisted that he expected the 22 year old winger to play a key role in the season, and his low salary was simply down to the Liverpool scouts discovering him before his wage demands got too high.

Gonzalez signed for Liverpool FC from La Liga side Albacete on a permanent basis in October. ‘Speedy’ Gonzalez, as he is known, is an inspirational young player who, with his lightning pace who can play on either wing, or in a striking role. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has labelled Gonzalez as the best young player in Chile last season.

"He is a player we want to be able to use as soon as possible but the situation as it stands is that we are still awaiting a work permit for him," said Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez in October, who has also said in the past, "Gonzalez is already a player who will shine in the Premiership but very soon he could be one of the most exciting players in England."

"He's a left winger with pace and skill who is capable of getting to the by-line and providing crosses that the likes of Peter Crouch and Fernando Morientes should thrive on.”

Now that Chile have broken into the top 70, Liverpool will be hoping to be able to re-appeal the decision, and possibly have Gonzalez playing for Liverpool by January. Otherwise Liverpool and Gonzalez will have to wait until next season, when he will have a European passport.

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