Brexit may cause visa issues for football clubs

Thursday's vote for Britain to exit the European Union could have visa implications for a number of professional football players plying their trade in the UK.The Premier League chairman has insisted the Brexit vote will continue to have "strong domestive and global appeal." ©EPA

A recent study carried out by the BBC indicated that up to 332 players currently playing with teams in the Premier League, the Championship and the Scottish Premier League have visas could be under threat.

Up until now, players with an EU passport were permitted and cleared to play in the UK, while those without an EU passport must receive clearance from Home Office.

Under the conditions from the Home Office, players international caps and their country's position in the FIFA world rankings are considered before the player is granted or denied a permit to work within the UK.

The current conditions apply for any non-EU player seeking to be granted an endorsement from the English FA:

• The applicant club must be in membership of the Premier League or Football League.

• During the period of endorsement, the player may only play for clubs in membership of those leagues (i.e. the player may not be loaned to a club below the Football League);

• The player must have participated in at least 75% of his home country’s senior competitive international matches where he was available for selection during the two years preceding the date of the application;

• The player’s National Association must be at or above 70th place in the official FIFA World Rankings when averaged over the two years preceding the date of the application.

If the work permit is refused, players are scored on a points based system which looks at a players transfer value, wages and previous career appearances.

The BBC's report reveals that up to 100 clubs would be affected if clubs were forced to adhere to current criteria, with Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Watford in line to lose 11 players from their squad.

It was also revealed that in the Scottish Premier League, none of the 53 non-British EU players would qualify for a visa based on the current guidelines in relation to international appearances.

Premier League chairman Richard Scudamore and all Premier League clubs were advocating a Remain vote for the Referendum, as Scudamore told BBC Radio Five Live that a Brexit would not be in keeping with the current "openness" of the league.

 'Leave' campaigners argued that exiting the EU would provide an opportunity for Britain to invest and develop more home-grown talent.

Speaking Friday in light of the Brexit referendum results, Scudamore said in a statement: "The Premier League is a hugely successful sporting competition that has strong domestic and global appeaL. This will continue to be the case regardless of the referendum result."

"Given the uncertain nature of what the political and regulatory landscape might be following the 'Leave' vote, there is little point second-guessing the implications until there is greater clarity," he continued.

"Clearly we will continue to work with Government and other bodies whatever the outcome of any process," Scudamore added.

CREDIT TO:http://utv.ie/Sport/2016/06/24/Brexit-could-cause-visa-issues-for-football-clubs-60700