The English Premier League is filled with players from around the world, many stars coming from as far away as Brazil, Ghana and Japan – however this trend may not last for much longer.
Football players from outside the European Union may be prohibited from entering the United Kingdom if their English ability is not sufficient. This is according to strict new immigration amendments that will come into place in October this year.
The Home Office want to limit the amount of unskilled immigrants coming to the UK by as much as 30 000. If this law was in place last year, it is thought that as many as 20 000 skilled and temporary workers would have been turned away. The specific quotas for migrants are looked upon as a positive social development by the Immigration Ministry that allows only skilled workers in the country.
The new tier system requires foreigners to pass a points test based on qualifications, salary, age and English ability. Although most of the elements of the scheme is easy for football players to fulfil, especially in terms of salary, however many players require interpreters in order to communicate.
Another aspect that will affect non-EU footballers is the law of the tier 2, skilled workers scheme that stipulates that employers need to prove that they cannot find a worker or player locally that is at the same level as the foreigner.
According to Bryan Palmer of www.globalvisas.com, “Strength of talent in sport is often subjective and various judgement calls in terms of player selection are bound to be questioned when this law is released, this new law seems silly if the soccer scene wants to remain competitive”.
In the governments defence, Immigration Minister Liam Byrne claims that firstly these highly paid footballers can afford quality English tuition and secondly the aim of the law changes is to give home-grown talent the opportunity to be first in line and get “the first crack of the whip”.
The English Premier League is the most popular football league internationally especially as its players represent the best players from around the world. These new rules are viewed by many as tarnishing the league, barring some of the greatest stars who would contribute to competitive teams and a league that is loved the world over.
Great players like Manchester United’s Carlos Tevez, from Argentina and the Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba who is hales as a hero by Chelsea fans, may however be banned from the UK soon if their English level is not up to scratch.
Other sports will also feel hard done by the new laws, particularly cricket where the county league is filled with players from India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
