20 Feb 2019 09:57:59
Mike, Ed002

I wonder if you could explain the situation with transfers from abroad once the UK leave the EU, am I right in saying at the moment if a player is from a EU nation he can just move to an English club no problem but if from outside the EU needs a work permit. Once the UK leave will all players coming in from abroad require a work permit?

I could be totally wrong on the above and would appreciate some guidance.

{Ed002's Note - A good question and the final answer has yet to be determined, but right now it goes something like this:
- If the player is an EU citizen he is allowed to work in the UK without the need for a Work Permit or Visa under the provisions of the treaty covering free movement.
- This also applies to uncontracted players under the Bosman Decision.
- Players from outside the EU need Government Body Endorsement and a Work Permit and the rules are stricter than they were (see at the end).
- There are different types of Work Permits available and typically two apply to footballers. Tier 2 means that the player can stay in the UK with a two year extention if they have 70 immigration points (which requires an FA endorsement, 10 for providing proof he won't be a strain on the state and 10 for the command of the English language (important). A Tier 5 WP only lasts a year where failure is on the English language test. It allows him to play and then master the language, sit a test and then apply for Tier 2 WP. Extensions can be provided to the length of contract.
- Moving forward post Brexit there is no decision but it has been discussed. One idea on the table is that any new application for EU citizens to move to the Premier League or move between PL clubs) will be the same process as for non EU players, and that players already at PL clubs will be given an exemption for the length of their existing contract.

The Work Permit requirements:

The player needs a minimum of four points and summary goes something like this:
- The value of the transfer fee (alone) that is to be paid is between the top 75% and 100% of all transfers to Premier League clubs in the previous 2 windows - 3 points
- The value of the transfer fee being paid for the player is between 50% and 75% of all transfers to Premier League clubs in the previous 2 windows - 2 points
- The basic wage (excluding bonuses) being paid to the player by the new club is in the top 25% of the top 30 earners at the club - 3 points
- The basic wage (excluding bonuses) being paid to the player by the new club is between 50% and 75% of all the top 30 earners at the club - 2 points
- Subjectively, the player’s current club is in a recognised "top" league and the player has played in 30% or more of the available domestic league minutes - 1 point
- The player’s existing club has played in the group stages or onwards of the Champions League, Europa League or the Copa Libertadores within the last 12 months and the player has played in 30% or more of the available domestic league minutes - 1 point
}


1.) 20 Feb 2019
20 Feb 2019 11:57:00
An excellent explanation but as I mentioned last week I’m sure a good proportion of this is going to change, so won’t be relevant / maybe not too radically at the end of this season, , but it will over the course next 2/ 3 seasons The FA will ring the changes, NOTE, Man City are already looking for more U. K. talent, and they will drive up the prices, of Home grown lads. IRONMIKE.

{Ed002's Note - I am not so sure what won't be relevant. Many of the clubs are looking to HG players to bolster the squad but this results in prices rising sadly.}


2.) 20 Feb 2019
20 Feb 2019 12:22:37
Goodness Thanks Ed 002, very informative and in depth and much appreciated.

Now for my 2nd question albeit in theory.

When leaving the EU and its regulations, if the Premier League or FA wanted to ( massive if), could they bring in a rule where as only a certain amount of non UK players can be in a squad?,

Basically what i'm getting at could they go back to the days when I think only 2 foreign players were allowed in a team. Obviously this won't happen but I just wanted to know if they wanted to could they as no longer under EU Working Law.

{Ed002's Note - They will not look to change the rule in that way and it won't be related to non-EU players, but they may look to increase the HG quota from 8 to something else (12 has been proposed). The means the non HG quota would reduce to 13 and they would also have to amend the rules as some of the HG quota will be EU or even non EU (rest of the world) nationals (e.g. Nathan Ake is HG but an EU national.}


3.) 20 Feb 2019
20 Feb 2019 13:11:28
Edd002 note, bloody hell Ed, well done for the info on Warrington’s post👍Think I would have been inclined to say, no idea, look up for yourself😂🤣 Understood some but, became a bit complicated for me, but they pay their own people good money to sort it out! I ‘m only interested in who WH, sign not who they can’t sign! Looks like we could have some favourites back in again on Friday from injury, so that will be very interesting, if Lanzini gets on, he will get some ovation from the Stadium, what a massive miss he has been. Don’t want to tempt fate, but should be 3 points for us here⚒⚒⚒⚒COYI.


4.) 20 Feb 2019
20 Feb 2019 15:42:18
Thanks for the info Ed and the time taken to write it, much appreciated.


5.) 21 Feb 2019
21 Feb 2019 08:54:22
Awesome work. Thanks Ed.


6.) 24 Feb 2019
24 Feb 2019 12:23:49
Just a thought on the potential requirement for more HG players - if fewer superstars can be in the PL and its quality, by definition, goes down, I wonder if tv rights will be less attractive and packages will suffer.