First it was Dwayne De Rosario and Celtic, then it was David Beckham and Tottenham. Add Omar Cummings to the list: MLS players who were denied to go on loan.

Earlier today, it was announced that Colorado Rapids striker Omar Cummings would not be loaned from Colorado to Aston Villa, in spite of the fact Villa manager Gérard Houllier seemed impressed with his work ethic.

Before we go and point the finger at the league and its teams for shutting down any international loans, this was not the fault of anyone in MLS. Believe it or not, Colorado agreed to allow Cummings to go on loan.

When applying for a work permit for his rather short stint with Villa, he was denied the permit. This rejection is the result of his nationality: Jamaican. A regular player on the national squad, he was able to breeze through that requirement. However, the requirement stalling him? Team rank.

It couldn't have been any more brutal. To qualify for a UK Work Permit as an international soccer player, the nation you regularly play for must have an average rank of 70th or higher. 

In FIFA's latest rankings, Jamaica dropped one lone spot...from 58th to 59th, thus resulting in the country's average ranking over the last year at 72nd. 

So close, but yet so far.

Cummings, who has been reported to be all right with the situation, will be returning to Colorado's preseason training...beginning Jan. 24, a nice sigh of relief for Rapids fans. Their star striker will be back for the regular season to kick off.

Villa, on the other hand—well, so much for a possible extra boost in attacking. 

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