Manchester United's £18million signing Anderson may have to wait a year to join his new club.
Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson and club solicitor Maurice Watkin were at a meeting in London yesterday to plead for the Brazilian to be given a work permit.
Anderson's first application was refused as he does not have enough caps to satisfy work permit rules.
United appealed, asking for the 19-year-old to be considered a special case, and are now sweating on the decision.
A six-strong panel will deliver a verdict within the next 48 hours, with Anderson's transfer from Porto depending on the result. If the appeal fails, United cannot reapply until next year.