Watford Starlet Facing Deportation

By: Martha | November 26th, 2007

Watford’s Alhassan Bangura escaped Sierra Leone as a 16-year-old thanks to a French trafficker, who reportedly intended to turn him into a male prostitute. When he arrived in London, though, Bangura escaped and has been living in England ever since, without a passport or other residency papers.

He was discovered playing football in a park shortly after his arrival, and was invited to joint the Watford youth setup — now 19, Bangura has a budding football career, a comfortable life, a pregnant English girlfriend (who, just to make it all that much more painful, is due today), and an asylum hearing with the Home Office. Depending on how the hearing goes today, Bangura could be deported back to Sierra Leone, where he believes his life will be danger.

Bangura fled his home country when he was a teen, under threat from members of a secret society called Soko, of which his father had been a leader. According to the society’s traditions, Bagura was required to step into his father’s position once he turned 15, no matter what his beliefs. Bangura claims Soko “members dismembered parts of their bodies and inflicted pain as part of their extreme rituals,” activities of which he wanted no part (not surprisingly). When he told the society’s elders he wouldn’t take his father’s place, though, he was threatened with death and forced to flee to Guinea, when he was found by the French trafficker, who brought him to Europe. Got all that? Jesus.

Bangura applied to stay in England in May but that application was denied, so this appeal is his last hope. If it falls through, barring a miracle or an intervention of some kind, he’ll probably be sent “home,” where God only know what could happen to him.

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Elaine Powell

Should be put on the first plane out, as should all illegals. Just because he happens to play for a football club should not alter that. If he is the awesome talent that Aidy Boothroyd says he is, he wouldnt be playing for Watford.
SR

I'm from Sierra Leone. It's a poor country so I understand why he'd rather not go back. But his account is a crock of sh*t. Yes, there is a secret society called Soko - but their 'mutilations' are an optical illusion to entertain the public. Membershp of these societies is voluntary, at least in Freetown where Bangura grew up. His life is no more at risk there than here.

I think he has a humanitarian argument to stay here. But his asylum claim is total pants! Pregnant girlfriend - er, very timely.

If he is allowed to stay - and something tells me he will be - he should apologise for the lies he's told about his home country.
Corey

I hope this does not happen. He is a good player, im a big fan of his. And being a male prostitute has its perks.
Shane

I'm pretty sure the "world of deportation" could find someone better...i mean worse to deport. Why kick someone out who has a future just cause you "know" of him. silly.