Irish midfielder Willo Flood has had a very strange couple of weeks. The former Hibernian player signed a one-year deal with Scottish side Dunfermline only to tear up his contract once an offer from Indonesian side Bali United presented itself. Dunfermline graciously accepted the player's wishes to play abroad but it seems Flood's move to the club has been scotched by newly introduced rules in the Indonesian league concerning foreign players.
The new regulations state that only four foreign players can play in their league – and they must have played in their previous country’s top league to gain a work permit. Flood's last club was Dundee United who currently play in Scottish football's second tier.
Manager of Bali United Widodo Cahyono Putro expressed his disappointment at the ruling:
Willo Flood’s contract has been cancelled because of the regulations restricting foreign players in Liga 1. Because he played in a league in Scotland that wasn’t their top league, we have been informed he does not meet the criteria.
The management of Bali United is currently asking for clarification on this, but it’s obviously a massive disappointment for us and the player.
Upon Flood's departure from Dunfermline the club stated that the door would always be open to the player should he return to Scotland, but in the intervening period the Pars have since signed midfielder James Vincent on loan, leaving Flood's invitation in doubt.
