English Football Confirms Post-brexit Player Recruitment Criteria

The FA, the Premier League and EFL have announced a joint plan which agrees the entry requirements for overseas players after Brexit.

According to the trio, the Home Office has approved a ‘Governing Body Endorsement’ (GBE) proposal, which was submitted to the Government last month.

The move will provide a framework for Premier League and EFL clubs to sign overseas players after 31st December 2020. From the January transfer window onwards, clubs will not be able to sign players freely from the EU, but players will have to obtain a GBE – which is the case for other overseas players who don’t currently possess the right to work in the UK.

According to the framework, a points-based system will apply, and players will be graded on their number of senior and youth international appearances, their number of club appearances, and the quality of the selling club (based on their league, league position, and progression in continental competition).

“Despite having different starting perspectives on how Brexit should impact football, this is another example of how the football authorities can work effectively together for the greater good of the game,” said Mark Bullingham, CEO, The FA.

“We have a strong working relationship with both the Premier League and EFL and will monitor this new agreement together to ensure it evolves to best meet our joint objectives over time. We will also discuss improvements to the player pathway for the mutual benefit of football clubs and homegrown talent in this country.”

Richard Masters, CEO, the Premier League said: “The Premier League has worked with the FA to come to an agreement to ensure no part of Brexit should damage the success of the Premier League, or the prospects of the England teams. We welcome the news that the Home Office has approved the Governing Body Endorsement plan for the January 2021 transfer window.

EFL CEO, David Baldwin, added: “The EFL has contributed to the discussions with our colleagues across football as the game prepares for the UK’s exit from the EU, and it is helpful to be able to provide clarity for EFL clubs by having an established position to a long-standing issue ahead of the January transfer window, albeit in the short term.

“The objective of the EFL throughout this process has been to ensure EFL clubs continue to have the opportunity to sign players from overseas to enhance the quality of their playing squads, while recognising the need for restrictions, and we will continue to assess the application of these rules and consider the long-term implications early in 2021.”