A FOOTBALLER tipped for stardom is behind bars after admitting working illegally.

In the Ivory Coast, Ballo Ousmane played professionally for Sabe de Bouna in the Ivorian top division.

He fled the country as an 18- year-old when his father and two sisters were killed in the civil war, and arrived in the UK as a refugee, a court heard.

Yesterday, Ousmane, now 26, admitted to using a false passport to get a job after his asylum application was rejected.

His future remains uncertain as officials from the Ivory Coast have said they are not sure that he is one of their nationals and a fresh immigration hearing is scheduled in the UK.

Northern League club Marske United wanted to sign the player soon after he came to England, but while awaiting the decision on his asylum application, and therefore unable to work, he trained with the team for free.

Colin Harvey, defending, said Vera Baird, MP for Redcar, backed his immigration plea in Parliament.

Support was shown at Teesside Crown Court by representatives from Marske United, charity Justice First and Ousmane’s friends.

“He is a very talented footballer,”

said Mr Harvey. “But he is not able to ply that trade or any other trade. He is very much in limbo.”

Ousmane pleaded guilty to four charges of possessing a false passport and one of fraud for working illegally for two months between August and October last year.

Income tax and national insurance were deducted from his earnings during the period he was employed.

Mr Harvey said Ousmane had taken the same false French passport to four employment agencies.

“He fell prey to the temptation to work by getting false documents,” he said.

Ousmane, of Diamond Street in Middlesbrough, was remanded in custody and will appear for sentencing at Teesside Crown Court in the week beginning April 6.