POOLE Pirates co-promoter Gordon Pairman is urging rival clubs to unite over the visa row that may threaten Chris Holder’s future in British speedway.

Pairman, who was elected onto the Speedway Control Bureau (SCB) in November, revealed that Poole’s Grand Prix star could be affected by issues relating to the UK Borders Agency (UKBA) and non-EU riders.

Pirates have released a statement following a meeting between speedway bosses and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) in which the club’s promotion learned that Aussie duo Dakota North and Davey Watt would be unaffected.

But with question marks lingering over Holder, Pairman called on the British Speedway Promoters’ Association (BSPA) and member clubs to work together in order to protect the integrity of the shale sport.

Pairman told Poole’s official website: “We have some work to do to enable Chris Holder to obtain a new visa as, following the meeting yesterday, it is apparent that the current certificate of sponsorship we issued for him will need to be renewed.

"Whilst we have been given encouragement from the government offices that they will do all they possibly can to resolve the issues as quickly as possible, as a club we will need some assurances that this whole matter is sorted out well in advance of the start of the season.

"We would not be willing to begin the season either riding with or against guests or weakened teams as that would only serve to offer a sub-standard project and would hope that the BSPA body recognises that it is not in the sport's interest to do so.

"We owe it to the fans, sponsors and our colleagues at Sky Sports to track the best possible sides across the leagues.

"We call on our fellow BSPA members to work united on this matter, as is the commitment, but should it become apparent that the issues may not be resolved on a fair basis for all clubs, we hope they would look at measures to allow equalisation across the teams.”

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "Most sportspeople from outside the European Economic Area must be sponsored by a licensed tier two or tier five sponsor before they can come to the UK for work.

"It is the responsibility of sponsors to ensure they fulfil their duties in relation to the immigration rules.

"The Home Office continually and routinely monitors all licensed sponsors to make sure that those applying to come to the UK for work are eligible and that a licensed sponsor genuinely wishes to take them on.

"Where we find evidence that sponsors are not fulfilling their duties we will take action to suspend or remove their licence.”

The Home Office confirmed it had identified compliance failings with the sponsor licences of a number of speedway clubs and had spoken with each of the clubs.

The Daily Echo has also established that the Home Office is working with the BSPA to help improve its sponsorship processes.