FAfter Brexit, it will be much more difficult for England’s football clubs to sign professionals from other European countries. The English Football Association (FA), the Premier League and the EFL, which is responsible for the second to fourth leagues, have developed a new set of rules for the obligation of European football players in coordination with the British Home Office.
What does this mean for the commitment of football players from the EU?
After Great Britain leaves the EU, English football clubs can no longer simply sign European professionals. In order to switch to the Premier League, players now need a work permit, as previously only required for newcomers from non-EU countries. This gives the British government a say in player transfers.
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Which requirements must be met for the work permit?
For the issue of a work permit, several factors play a role, which are assessed with points, including the appearances of the professional in the national team, the level of his previous club, successes in continental competitions and the number of appearances in the club. If a player meets the minimum number of points, he will automatically receive the work permit. If he just misses the number of points, a commission decides on an exemption.
What does this mean for football players who are already playing in England?
For players who were signed before the turn of the year, nothing changes initially. Anyone who lived in Great Britain before the end of the transition period or had previously been resident there could apply for their right of residence up to December 31st and can then usually stay and work in Great Britain. The German Chelsea pros Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, for example, would achieve the necessary number of points for a work permit anyway.
What are the rules for young players?
The Premier League clubs could miss out on some talent in the future. Foreign players under the age of 18 may no longer be signed after Brexit. And in each transfer window, the clubs are allowed to sign a maximum of three foreign U-21 players. Under the new rules, a star like Frenchman Paul Pogba, who moved to Manchester United for the first time at the age of 16, could not have started his professional career in the Premier League.
How do those involved rate the new set of rules?
The Premier League, EFL and the national association expressed their unanimity and satisfaction in a joint statement. Only the FA should benefit – if at all – from the new rule. Put simply, the association hopes that less mediocre players will move to England in the future. This means that the clubs would have to rely more and more on the youngsters from their own country. That could benefit the English national team in the long term.
What does Brexit opponent Jürgen Klopp say?
Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp sees things differently than the FA. “We do not create more talent by blocking other talents,” he told the Guardian newspaper and reminded them that the English junior teams are already very successful. “Why is that? Because they had a lot of good players around them who also play football well, ”said Klopp firmly. “This helps.”
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