12 RED CARDS.. BUT I CAN'T GET A GREEN CARD

FOOTBALL hardman Vinnie Jones has hired THREE teams of top lawyers - to stop him being kicked out of America.

Vinnie, 42, wants a green card which would allow him to live and work in the US permanently. But the ex-footballer - sent off 12 times during his playing days - is worried his string of convictions for violence-related offences off the pitch could count against him.

The Lock, Stock and X-Men 3 star is determined to move to the States to pursue his Hollywood career. He has sold both his UK homes and spent pounds 5million on a Beverly Hills house. Vinnie also has a property in Malibu.

To reduce the chances of losing his US life if he is rejected, the actor has taken on three teams of American legal experts to oversee a green card application. So far they have gathered 45 letters of support from actors, directors, producers and other US friends.

A pal of Vinnie confirmed: "He is taking no chances. The US authorities are notoriously tough on anyone with criminal convictions. But they are mainly worried about organised crime and drugs.

"Vinnie has never had anything to do with either of those. But he is determined to make sure his convictions don't count against him. His lawyers are making sure there are no weaknesses. Vinnie does not like losing so he is throwing money at this."

The ex-Wimbledon FC defender must convince US authorities his talents outweigh his convictions.

A source said: "Vinnie loves his life in LA and feels it's his home now. In recent years his career has really taken off and he has a real future in America, but if he can't get a green card he may have to have a major rethink. It isn't the case they will make an exception for him because he is famous."

US authorities, who tightened security after the September 11 terror attacks, may look unfavourably on an "air rage" offence Vinnie committed in 2003.

He slapped fellow passenger Stephen Driscoll and threatened crew on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Heathrow to Tokyo after Mr Driscoll said he was "annoying". He was given 80 hours' community service after admitting the offences.

In 1998 he was given 100 hours' community service for assaulting a neighbour in a row over a fence post. The victim said Jones had bitten, punched and kicked him, then stamped on his head.

This summer Vinnie said: "I've got my papers sorted for the green card. We'll live there for two or three years and see how it goes."

m.duffy@sundaymi rror.co.uk

What he got up to on the pitch..

In 1986 he ended the career of Tottenham defender Gary Stevens with a vicious tackle.

In another notorious incident in 1987 he grabbed Paul Gascoigne's testicles.

In 1989 he was sent off for head-butting Everton's Kevin Ratcliffe.

In 1995 he was reported to the FA for allegedly biting a journalist's nose in a Dublin bar.

In the early days of his career, he was hauled in front of the FA after he reportedly threatened to rip off Kenny Dalglish's ear and "spit in the hole".

He was once booked after only five seconds of play.

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