Alisher Apsalyamov, Cardiff City Football Club’s head of recruitment, has been told that he may not be able to continue to work for the club due to issues with his UK work permit.
The 23-year-old Kazakh is being investigated by the Home Office with regards to his UK immigration paperwork. It is understood he will retain the position with the club while his UK visa documentation is being looked into, but he will not be operating for the club in an official capacity during this time.
Apsalyamov is a friend of the son of the club’s owner, Vincent Tan. He was with the club on work experience prior to his appointment, painting the stadium’s walls over the summer. His remit regarding the position was to focus on “gathering data on individual players”.
His appointment has come of something of a surprise and the fact that he looks to be pushing Iain Moody out has proved particularly controversial. The move is seen to have cast doubt over the manager Malky Mackay’s future with the club.
Moody left the club on 11 October after Tan released a statement backing Mackay.
Mackay told the BBC that he and the club are primarily focusing on football matters. He said: “It’s just something the chief exec can get on with and deal with. My focus is on my team.”
The Home Office refused to comment on the case. A spokesperson remarked the BBC Sport: “We do not routinely comment on individual cases. Any allegation that an individual has breached the terms of their visa will be investigated.”