Brexit quota battle

THE Premier League have hit back at an FA plan for a 13-foreigner quota system by saying it would risk a business that brings £3.3billion in taxes into the country.

The Government has asked the FA to draw up – in agreement with the Premier League and EFL – regulations on the criteria by which foreign players can be allowed into the country once Brexit has come into place.

The Premier League currently have a 17-foreigner limit per squad and are worried tighter restrictions would weaken sides and limit their success in European competition.

That is even though just 28 per cent of players starting games in the top flight are eligible to play for England.

A statement yesterday suggested they were willing to use their full might to scupper the FA

plans, not least because with England’s recent success they struggle to see the problem.

“Our competition is watched in 189 countries, 700,000 visitors to the UK per season attend a match, clubs employ 12,000 full-time staff and Premier League football generates £3.3bn per season in taxes,” it read. “We approach this matter in the interests of British football as a whole and have held positive discussions with the EFL and the Scottish Professional Football League, who both agree that Brexit should not be used to weaken playing squads, nor harm clubs’ ability to sign international players.

“There is no evidence stronger quotas would have a positive impact on national teams.”