Post-Brexit bid to curb foreign player imports splits soccer

Under the FA's post-Brexit proposals, Premier League clubs would be allowed to sign whoever they want from abroad but only be allowed 13 non-homegrown players in the squad. That number is an average based on the 262 non-homegrown players currently in the 20 teams.

"Brexit should not be used to weaken playing squads in British football, nor to harm clubs' ability to sign international players," the Premier League said in a statement.

Most of the 20 teams do not currently use their full quota of 17 non-homegrown players, a status which means they have not been affiliated to an English or Welsh club for three complete seasons or 36 months before their 21st birthday.

According to the FA's research, which was presented to Premier League clubs last week, restricting them to 13 homegrown players last season would have affected only 42 player appearances out of more than 10,000. Only 24 were starts. From Premier League champion Manchester City, only backup goalkeeper Claudio Bravo would have missed out on his three appearances.

The FA calls this a "pragmatic" solution: Clubs could still sign whoever they want from Europe, but the freedom over recruitment is extended worldwide, as long as they abide by new squad limits.

"The FA believes increasing access, but preventing an increase in current numbers of overseas players, would benefit all of English football," the governing body said in a statement.

The limited opportunities for English talent at home were underscored when Jadon Sancho left Man City last year for Borussia Dortmund in Germany. The 18-year-old winger has since won the Under-17 World Cup and gained regular top-flight experience that saw him fast-tracked into Gareth Southgate's senior England side.

"I'm just grateful he's seen my progress in the Bundesliga," Sancho said. "My focus was getting minutes as a player and playing first-team football, which is what I've done." FA chief executive Martin Glenn pitched his plans at a meeting of clubs last week but the Premier League remains unconvinced that stronger quotas will have a positive impact on the national team.