Kalou fails in bid for citizenship

AMSTERDAM: A civil court in Rotterdam has rejected an appeal by Feyenoord's Ivorian striker Salomon Kalou against the decision of immigration minister Rita Verdonk to deny his application for Dutch citizenship. 

Kalou will miss the World Cup after a judge ruled on Tuesday that Verdonk's demand that Kalou should pass a naturalisation exam was justified. 

Holland coach Marco van Basten had guaranteed him a spot in his World Cup squad if he got his Dutch passport. 

Verdonk told parliament in March that Kalou did not fulfil the criteria for fast-track citizenship and would have to retake a Dutch language and culture test. 

Van Basten said on Feyenoord's website on Tuesday: “Now he should focus on the qualification for the European championship, but overall it is sad for him that after a year and a half the whole case is still not closed.” 

Kalou's lawyer said he would persevere with his application. – Reuters