Premier League rejects FA proposal to increase homegrown quotas

The Premier League has reiterated its opposition to the introduction of new homegrown player quotas in the event of Brexit, insisting there is “no evidence” it would have a positive impact on the England team’s results.

The Football Association has drawn up proposals that would see the number of permitted non-homegrown players in the 25-man squads reduced from 17 to 13, even if the United Kingdom does not leave the European Union. But after the proposals were rejected when they were presented at last week’s shareholders’ meeting, the Premier League has now publicly opposed them, stating they are acting “in the interests of British football as a whole”.

“We currently operate rules that limit the number of non-homegrown players clubs can have in senior squads, while also working with clubs to operate a world-leading player development system which delivers for England teams at every level,” read a statement.

READ MORE: The 2-7-2 with sweeper goalkeeper...the future of football?

READ MORE: Patrice Evra shares video of hm seductively preparing raw poultry

“This was demonstrated by the many Premier League club Academy and senior players whom FA coaches moulded so well into Under-17 and Under-20 Fifa World Cup winners and men’s Fifa 2018 World Cup semi-finalists. There is no evidence that stronger quotas than exist now would have a positive impact on national teams.

“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 in British football, nor to harm clubs’ ability to sign international players.

"The three league bodies also recognise that the development pathway for young British players needs to be further enhanced and are committed to finding ways of achieving this across all professional clubs.”

England manager Gareth Southgate suggested last month that the FA should focus on working with Premier League clubs to improve the pathway from their academies to the first team rather than attempting to increase the number of homegrown players.

READ MORE: Under-fire PFA boss Taylor bows to pressure and agrees to independent review

“I have sat on some working panels looking at those statistics,” he said. “Clearly there are some pinch points now with Brexit and how that may affect things. Last week we were below 28% English players but most of the data I have seen suggests quotas on squads would not make a difference because you could still field a team outside the base of British players.”

Five clubs, including Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, have the maximum 17 overseas players, while four more teams, including Chelsea and Liverpool, have 16.