English set to allow more foreign players

English football coul;d face a revolution next season if government plans to allow more foreign players are approved by the English FA.

The proposal to relax work permit restrictions could see a flood of cheap imports from non EU countries arrive in Britain. At present players from non EU states must meet criteria to qualify for anew work permit every season. Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Friedel is linked with a move to Galatasary because his work permit application is likely to be refused after his only season with the Anfield club. New rules would mean players going three years before a work permit would be needed. A player needs to play in 75% of games at the moment to receive a new permit but the new rules would need the player only to be named as part of a 22 man squad. Permits would also be processed in a week as delays have led to clubs pulling out of deals to buy foreigners. Southampton were close to abandoning a move to sign young striker Marian Pahars from Skonto Riga due to the length of time needed to approve his permit. Pahars scored both goals on the last day of the recent season to keep the club in the Premiership.

English players are considered to be extremely expensive. A good international from abroad could cost half the amount needed to secure a new young English star and the English players union is continually complaining about the high level of foreign imports in the game and a relaxation of rules to allow more would cause more protests.

Spanish clubs are set to limit non EU players to three per club for a season in an attempt to stem the flow of foreign players into their league. The English union is paying close attention to their proposals and the rule change proposed this week could see calls for a similar move in the British game.

Spain have recently won the European Championships for under 18s and were the highest placed European country at the recent World Youth Cup in Nigeria but the top clubs are filling the squads with more and more talent brought in from abroad preventing their home grown young stars from getting experience in local first teams.