FA Keen to Block 'Low Quality' Foreign Signings in January Transfer Window

The Football Association have urged the Premier League to agree to a system which would block 'low quality' foreign players from moving to the English top flight in January.

With England closing in on a departure from the European Union, foreign players will no longer have the same freedom to move to the Premier League as they once did, and Premier League sides have until October 31 to finalise a new system which will kick in in January.

A change to the system will likely mean transfer fee, international caps and pedigree of the league the player comes from could all be more important, and as noted by Sky Sports News, the FA are keen to block 'low-quality' players who wouldn't meet the criteria from joining in an attempt to force clubs to give their academy youngsters more chances.

"Whatever we do it's inevitable that your access to European talent will be reduced from the current free access, however we want to increase the access you have to non-European talent so that the Premier League can maintain its position as the leading league in the world," FA chairman Greg Clarke wrote in a letter to all 20 Premier League sides on Thursday.

"We want to do this in such a way that protects the remainder of the pyramid and our national teams.

"Government requirements are that players coming to play here should be internationally established at the highest level; making a significant contribution to football; and not taking the place of already settled talent. All of these need to be reflected in the new system."

The FA claim to have developed a modernised system which would still ensure talented young players can move to England, but it would block older players from joining amid fears that they would do nothing but take minutes away from an academy player.

The UK government have involved themselves in the situation, warning the FA that football will not be given special treatment as the rest of the country is forced to accept changes to the regulations.

If the Premier League sides cannot agree on a new system, the FA are prepared to submit their preferred model to the Home Office, so teams have until Sunday to make a decision.

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