New Rules post Brexit for PL & EFL Clubs

[madzo2007]

The rules for the signing of players from January 1st have just been released

The FA, the Premier League and EFL have come together to agree a plan for entry requirements for overseas players post Brexit.

Football’s Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) proposal was submitted to the Government last month by the FA, as the governing body for football, and has now been approved by The Home Office.

The criteria will provide the framework for Premier League and EFL clubs to sign overseas players when the UK leaves the European Union (EU) after 31 December 2020.

Post Brexit, clubs will not be able to sign players freely from the EU. Players from EU countries who want to play in the Premier League or EFL will be required to gain a GBE, like all other overseas players without the right to work in the UK.

The GBE will operate a points-based system, where points are scored for senior and talented young players based on:
• Senior and youth international appearances
• Quality of the selling club, based on the league they are in, league position and progression in continental competition
• Club appearances, based on domestic league and continental competition minutes

Players accumulating the requisite amount of points will earn a GBE automatically, while players just below the threshold may be considered for a GBE by an Exceptions Panel.

The system meets the joint objectives of the Premier League, EFL and the FA allowing access to the best players and future talent for clubs, as well as safeguarding England teams, by ensuring opportunities for homegrown players.

In the Premier League, the number of overseas U21 players a club can sign will be limited to three in the January transfer window and six per season moving forwards. This enables the recruitment of the best players from around the world to train and play together with homegrown talent. Under FIFA’s rules, the UK’s exit from the EU will also mean that clubs will not be able to sign players from overseas until they are 18.

The leading football bodies have also agreed to work together to continue to improve the player pathway system.

The Women’s game has also had their GBE proposal approved by the Home Office. This will also operate a points-based system, where points are scored on:

• Senior international appearances
• Quality of the selling club, based on the league they are in and former league position
• Club appearances, based on domestic league and continental competition minutes

The agreement is in accordance with the Government’s required criteria and will come into effect when the UK leaves the European Union, in the new year. It will be implemented in the January 2021 transfer window and reviewed in full ahead of the summer 2021 transfer window.

Mark Bullingham, our chief executive officer, said: “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.

"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, the Premier League’s chief executive, added: “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.

“Continuing to be able to recruit the best players will see the Premier League remain competitive and compelling and the solution will complement our player development philosophy of the best foreign talent alongside the best homegrown players. Following the January transfer window, we look forward to reviewing the agreement with the FA.”

EFL Chief Executive, David Baldwin, said: “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.”

From: FA.com Brexit

 

[SalfordRed18]

Tldr?

 

[The Firestarter]

Tldr?

Post Brexit, clubs will not be able to sign players freely from the EU. Players from EU countries who want to play in the Premier League or EFL will be required to gain a GBE, like all other overseas players without the right to work in the UK.

 

[cyberman]

Im guessing transfers for big teams will be waved through?

Doesnt seem fair

 

[JJ12]

Can’t sign under 18’s overseas

That could hurt

 

[WeePat]

So EU players will be treated as non-European players have been for years, subject to work permits with things like international caps being considered.

You can sign Griezmann with no problems at all, but a promising 20 year old with less than 5 caps out of Portugal won't be as uncomplicated?

 

[adexkola]

Im guessing transfers for big teams will be waved through?

Doesnt seem fair

Yeah because such transfers will be more likely to clear the points threshold

Clubs in the EFL will find it hard to bring over a prospect from a smaller club/league with few games. Unless there is a mechanism to weight points by buying club league position.

 

[Lay]

Can’t sign under 18’s overseas

That could hurt

Other European clubs used to complain that English clubs can do this but they can’t. Guess it’s even now

 

[Mickson]

Does this rule apply to foreign clubs? I.E can foreign clubs sign a 16-year-old from United?

 

[horsechoker]

Does this rule apply to foreign clubs? I.E can foreign clubs sign a 16-year-old from United?

It would depend on the laws of that nation. I think...

 

[cyberman]

Does this rule apply to foreign clubs? I.E can foreign clubs sign a 16-year-old from United?

EU clubs cant sign underage players from outside EU.
Although we can raid the rest of the world now sonjts a wash for us

 

[limerickcitykid]

Does this rule apply to foreign clubs? I.E can foreign clubs sign a 16-year-old from United?

If it is an EU club and the United player is an EU citizen then yes they can sign him. If no, then they can't.

 

[Mb194dc]

Without knowing the points criteria exactly to get a GBE hard to know how this works exactly. Could we see see more players from outside Europe coming to the PL now?

Not being part of intra EU under 18 transfer exception a minor annoyance.

 

[Bastian]

Other European clubs used to complain that English clubs can do this but they can’t. Guess it’s even now

I thought Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish clubs could sign younger players outside of the EU. No?

 

[limerickcitykid]

So EU players will be treated as non-European players have been for years, subject to work permits with things like international caps being considered.

You can sign Griezmann with no problems at all, but a promising 20 year old with less than 5 caps out of Portugal won't be as uncomplicated?

A 20 year old with 5 caps for Portugal would 100% get a permit.

The new work permit rules make it easier than the previous work permit regulations. Someone like Joao Pedro with no senior or youth caps even for Brazil got a work permit under the old regulations. A senior capped Portuguese international at 20 will most definitely get a work permit. A trickier one would be maybe someone like Pellistri with no international caps at any level and coming from a weak Uruaguayan league. His EU passport wouldn't get him anymore. But even then there are appeals for special circumstances and Manchester United spending $10m on you would almost certainly also grant exception. The biggest change will just be lower league clubs can't sign players from Europe anymore.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

This is actually a massive kick in the nuts for Irish football. I mean, you could argue that developing our most talented kids at home a bit longer is good for the game in Ireland but we all know that’s not really true. The difference in quality of coaching, amenities and football between Irish and UK academies is staggering.

 

[limerickcitykid]

Without knowing the points criteria exactly to get a GBE hard to know how this works exactly. Could we see see more players from outside Europe coming to the PL now?

Not being part of intra EU under 18 transfer exception a minor annoyance.

We can't know the specifics but the previously released details from the FA suggested a 500% increase for non-EU players.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Can’t sign under 18’s overseas

That could hurt

It will, but you know what, I don’t think it’s really fair as a practice. Especially when you look at the players premier league teams have nicked off of Spanish teams as they weren’t able to sign pro contracts.

however, it does mean clearly that British clubs will lose a competitive advantage.

 

[limerickcitykid]

This is actually a massive kick in the nuts for Irish football. I mean, you could argue that developing our most talented kids at home a bit longer is good for the game in Ireland but we all know that’s not really true.

It is nothing for Irish football. Irish have the right to live in the UK and still do. A FIFA rule doesn't take away that right. Irish players can still move at 16.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

It is nothing for Irish football. Irish have the right to live in the UK and still do. A FIFA rule doesn't take away that right. Irish players can still move at 16.

Really? Ok, that’s good. FIFA can’t cause any problems for an Irish kid switching to a non-EU club in the UK?

If that’s true, this could be good for Ireland. Might make it easier to get a place in an English academy.

 

[limerickcitykid]

Really? Ok, that’s good. FIFA can’t cause any problems for an Irish kid switching to a non-EU club in the UK?

If that’s true, this could be good for Ireland. Might make it easier to get a place in an English academy.

Yep, it'll be the same as before. It is why their is an exception for EU transfers, because FIFA doesn't have jurisdiction to stop a 16 year old EU citizen from working wherever they want in the EU. The same will still apply for any 16 year old Irish citizen as they have the legal right to work in England.

That is a good point and hopefully does work out for us like that, lord knows we could do with the help.

 

[marf]

Always loved seeing us sign talented youngsters from abroad for the youth teams. Unfortunately guess that will reduce drastically going forward.

In the long run it will be interesting to see the impact on the Academy, will less international talent also reduce the quality of the english guys as they won’t compete at they same level on a daily basis?

 

[Ludens the Red]

This is actually a massive kick in the nuts for Irish football. I mean, you could argue that developing our most talented kids at home a bit longer is good for the game in Ireland but we all know that’s not really true. The difference in quality of coaching, amenities and football between Irish and UK academies is staggering.

Don’t worry mate, It doesn’t apply to Ireland. You’ll still get fantastic talent like Jeff Hendrick and Shane Long coming through in League One in their teens.

 

[limerickcitykid]

Don’t worry mate, It doesn’t apply to Ireland. You’ll still get fantastic talent like Jeff Hendrick and Shane Long coming through in League One in their teens.

Fantastic talents like Jeff Hendrick and Shane Long have never played in League One.

 

[Ajr]

SO MUCH WINNING

 

[Crustanoid]

Chelsea and City are fvcked. Won’t be getting those 68864 loans out every year

 

[Ludens the Red]

Fantastic talents like Jeff Hendrick and Shane Long have never played in League One.

Alright Stephen Kelly..

 

[Sean_RedDevil]

The top clubs will "buy" more foreign clubs in the future.

 

[KM]

These new rules would mean that Kante like signings would be very tough in the future, no?

 

[Dante]

These new rules would mean that Kante like signings would be very tough in the future, no?

I don't think so.

Ligue 1 is a Band 1 league (12 points) and Kante played 37 games in his final season for Caen (another 12 points). That's 24 points without digging into the small print. He'd have easily met the 15 point threshold.

EDIT: Caen finished above the relegation zone, so that's another point to take him up to 25.

 

[Dante]

You only need a total of 15 points to qualify. For senior players the points are granted as follows...

International appearances:

Player’s International Appearances	1-10	11-20	21-30	31-50	51+
90-100%	Auto Pass	Auto Pass	Auto Pass	Auto Pass	2
80-89%	Auto Pass	Auto Pass	Auto Pass	Auto Pass	1
70-79%	Auto Pass	Auto Pass	Auto Pass	Auto Pass	0
60-69%	Auto Pass	Auto Pass	Auto Pass	10	0
50-59%	Auto Pass	Auto Pass	10	8	0
40-49%	Auto Pass	Auto Pass	9	7	0
30-39%	Auto Pass	10	8	6	0
20-29%	10	9	7	0	0
10-19%	9	8	0	0	0
1-9%	9	8	0	0	0

League minutes:

Player’s Domestic Minutes	Band 1	Band 2	Band 3	Band 4	Band 5	Band 6
90-100%	12	10	8	6	4	2
80-89%	11	9	7	5	3	1
70-79%	10	8	6	4	2	0
60-69%	9	7	5	3	1	0
50-59%	8	6	4	2	0	0
40-49%	7	5	3	1	0	0
30-39%	6	4	2	0	0	0
20-29%	0	0	0	0	0	0
10-19%	0	0	0	0	0	0
1-9%	0	0	0	0	0	0

Continental minutes:

Player’s Continental Minutes	Band 1 Continental Competition	Band 2 Continental Competition	Band 3 Continental Competition
90-100%	10	5	2
80-89%	9	4	1
70-79%	8	3	0
60-69%	7	2	0
50-59%	6	1	0
40-49%	5	0	0
30-39%	4	0	0
20-29%	0	0	0
10-19%	0	0	0
1-9%	0	0	0

Selling club's league position in the last season, assuming the player has been in at least one matchday squad and played 1% of the available minutes in the cups:

Last Club’s Final League Position	Band 1	Band 2	Band 3	Band 4	Band 5	Band 6
Title winner	6	5	4	3	2	1
Qualified for group stages of a Band 1 Continental Competition	5	4	3	2	1	0
Qualified for qualifiers of a Band 1 Continental Competition	4	3	2	1	0	0
Qualified for group stages of a Band 2 Continental Competition	3	2	1	0	0	0
Qualified for qualifiers of a Band 2 Continental Competition	2	1	0	0	0	0
Mid-table	1	0	0	0	0	0
Relegation	0	0	0	0	0	0
Promotion	N/A	1	1	1	1	1

Continental progression of the selling club, assuming the player has been in at least one matchday squad and played 1% of the available minutes in the cups. Spain, Italy, Germany, France and England are all Band 1 :

Continental Progression	Band 1 Continental Competition	Band 2 Continental Competition	Band 3 Continental Competition
Final	10	7	2
Semi-Finals	9	6	1
Quarter-Finals	8	5	0
Round of 16	7	4	0
Round of 32	6	3	0
Group stage	5	2	0
Other	0	0	0

Quality of the selling club's league, assuming the player has been in at least one matchday squad and played 1% of the available minutes in the cups. Spain, Italy, Germany, France and England are all Band 1:

Band of Player’s Current Club	Points
Band 1	12
Band 2	10
Band 3	8
Band 4	6
Band 5	4
Band 6	2

 

[Dante]

For youth players, it's as follows...

Quality of the league in which they've made at least one appearance. Spain, Italy, Germany, France and England are all considered Band 1:

Band	Points
Band 1	6
Band 2	5
Band 3	4
Band 4	3
Band 5	2
Band 6	1

Selling club's league position in the last season, assuming the player has played at least 30% of available minutes in a continental youth competition or a domestic B league:

Last Club’s Final League Position	Band 1	Band 2	Band 3	Band 4	Band 5	Band 6
Title winner	3	3	2	2	1	1
Qualified for group stages of a Band 1 Continental Competition	3	2	2	1	1	0
Qualified for qualifiers of a Band 1 Continental Competition	2	2	1	1	0	0
Qualified for group stages of a Band 2 Continental Competition	2	1	1	0	0	0
Qualified for qualifiers of a Band 2 Continental Competition	1	1	0	0	0	0
Mid-table	1	0	0	0	0	0
Relegation	0	0	0	0	0	0
Promotion	N/A	1	1	1	1	1

Continental progression of the selling club, assuming the player has played at least 30% of available minutes in a continental youth competition or a domestic B league:

Table 9
Continental Progression	Band 1 Continental Competition	Band 2 Continental Competition	Band 3 Continental Competition
Final	5	4	1
Semi-Finals	5	3	1
Quarter-Finals	4	3	0
Round of 16	4	2	0
Round of 32	3	2	0
Group stage	3	1	0
Other	0	0	0

Quality of the selling club's league. The player hasn't appeared in any senior matchday squads or played 1% of the minutes in the cups which would earn them points in one of the other tables. But they have played at least 30% of available minutes in a European or South American continental youth competition or a domestic B league:

Band of Player’s Current Club	Points
Band 1	11
Band 2	9
Band 3	7
Band 4	5
Band 5	4
Band 6	2

Quality of the selling club's league. The player hasn't appeared in any senior matchday squads or played 1% of the minutes in the cups which would earn them points in one of the other tables. But they have played at least 30% of available minutes in a non-European or non-South American continental youth competition or a domestic B league:

Band of Player’s Current Club	Points
Band 1	9
Band 2	8
Band 3	6
Band 4	5
Band 5	3
Band 6	2

Disclaimer: I'm sure I've made a few mistakes, but I think this covers most things.

 

[KM]

I don't think so.

Ligue 1 is a Band 1 league (12 points) and Kante played 37 games in his final season for Caen (another 12 points). That's 24 points without digging into the small print. He'd have easily met the 15 point threshold.

Ah is there any link for 15 point threshold thing?

 

[Dante]

Ah is there any link for 15 point threshold thing?

At the bottom of the FA page https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/dec/01/gbe-points-based-system-launched-011220

https://www.thefa.com/-/media/thefa...teria/gbe-mens-players-criteria-jan-2021.ashx

 

[KM]

At the bottom of the FA page https://www.thefa.com/news/2020/dec/01/gbe-points-based-system-launched-011220

https://www.thefa.com/-/media/thefa...teria/gbe-mens-players-criteria-jan-2021.ashx

Ah cheers, seems like Diallo would easily get the work permit now.

 

[Maagge]

This will probably mainly be a problem for the smaller clubs who aren't signing established international players. Which of course isn't great in terms of fairness.

 

[Dante]

Ah cheers, seems like Diallo would easily get the work permit now.

As long as he's played 30% of the available minutes in the reserves over the last year, he'll be well over the minimum requirement. By the looks of it, he made 16 appearances in a Primavera 1 league campaign that lasted 19 games (1169 minutes out of 1710 minutes) last season. That's 68%.

He has at least 6 points for making his Serie A debut, 3 points for his team qualifying for the CL, 4 points for them getting to the quarter finals, and 11 points for playing for a top-flight Italian team.

So it's 24 points by my reckoning. The only thing that might scupper him is the reference period being 12 months from the date of application. If hasn't been playing much this season, it could potentially drop his qualifying minutes percentage below 30%.

 

[KM]

As long as he's played 30% of the available minutes in the reserves, he'll be well over the minimum requirement. By the looks of it, he made 16 appearances in a Primavera 1 league campaign that lasted 19 games (1169 minutes out of 1710 minutes). That's 68%. So I think he should be okay.

He has at least 6 points for making his Serie A debut, 3 points for his team qualifying for the CL, 4 points for them getting to the quarter finals, and 11 points for playing for a top-flight Italian team.

So it's 24 points by my reckoning.

Well the requirement is only 15 isn't it, so he should get it easily. I think most of the players will pass this 15 point limit to be honest.

 

[Dante]

Well the requirement is only 15 isn't it, so he should get it easily. I think most of the players will pass this 15 point limit to be honest.

It's not really the points I'm worried about, as such. It's meeting the requirement of playing at least 30% of available minutes for the Atalanta reserve team in the last 12 months.

If the 12 month reference period had been August 2019 to August 2020, it would have been no problem. But January 2020 to January 2021 might be.

If Atalanta don't give him any pitch time between now and transfer window, it will lower his qualifying minutes from the 68% he'd earned by the end of last season. I don't think he'll drop below 30%, but it is worth bearing in mind.

If he doesn't hit that magical 30%, his points would go from 24 down to 6.

 

[KM]

It's not the points I'm worried about. It's meeting the requirement of playing at least 30% of the minutes for the Atalanta reserve team in the last 12 months.

If the 12 month reference period had been August 2019 to August 2020, it would have been no problem. But January 2020 to January 2021 might be.

If Atalanta don't give him any pitch time between now and transfer window, it will lower his qualifying minutes from the 68% he'd earned by the end of last season. I don't think he'll drop below 30%, but it is worth bearing in mind.

If he doesn't hit that magical 30%, his points would go from 24 down to 6.

Ah, I missed this part but if he's counted as a senior player then would 30% requirement matter?
I think you're a bit wrong on this. He should get 12 points as Italian League in band 1 and he was in one matchday squad last season and Atalanta finished in 3-4th place so that would be six points more.