Arsenal could be blocked from signing foreign players after Super League involvement

Arsenal could be facing having any futures moves for foreign players blocked as the government has pledged to have a say in awarding new overseas signings with work permits.

The plot thickens. And not just with a touch of flour, but with further lashings of pure, unfiltered greed that is set to have ramifications that will change the landscape of football forever.

Arsenal joined 11 other clubs in launching the European Super League, a frighteningly controversial division that will come into effect with the same 15 team each year, and feature no relegation or promotion for its ‘founding clubs’, one of whom is Arsenal.

This midweek breakaway league has sparked widespread outrage for its abandonment of football traditions in Europe, one centred around money and money alone. It’s further cemented by the fact Arsenal, like other clubs, took this action without the consultation of fans or even club and playing staff.

Arsenal could be blocked from signing foreign players after their European Super League involvement risks impacting work permits

Should the Super League come to fruition, then the government is to come under pressure to prevent the Premier League ‘big six’ from signing foreign players under new post-Brexit recruitment rules, reports the Daily Mail. The feeling is that these clubs should not be allowed access to the best foreign talent.

The FA, Premier League and the EFL combined to create a points-based system for new overseas signings, one the Home Office gave the green light to last year. It stipulates that non-UK players must obtain a Governing Body Endorsement, similar to a work permit, in order to play in this England. Transfers will only be approved if they reach a score of 15, with the points awarded on a range of criteria including number of international caps and the FIFA ranking of the player’s country.

The ‘big six’ regularly strengthen their squads with the additions of overseas players, but those pining for a European Super League could see plans to do so damaged if their signings do not meet the criteria.

Government officials, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, have already spoken out against the plans:

"“I don’t like the look of these proposals, and we’ll be consulted about what we can do,” he said. “We are going to look at everything that we can do with the football authorities to make sure that this doesn’t go ahead in the way that it’s currently being proposed.”"