Annex I
Letter from the Overseas Labour Service
When we last spoke (on Friday last week) you
mentioned that you had not at that stage been able to discuss
with Richard Scudamore the outcome of the Football League meeting
(on Thursday evening) when my Minister's proposed work permit
arrangements for footballers were due to be discussed.
I would be grateful if you could let me know
(by close of play today if possible please) if the Football League
are content with Mrs Hodge's plans. You will recall that she is
seeking criteria that are clear, transparent and consistent. As
part of a package of proposals—to include the introduction
of voluntary quotas on the number of non-EU players that each
club would be allowed to register—she confirmed that permits
would be issued in line with the length of a player's contract.
Salary and FIFA ranking indicators would also be dropped.
Mrs Hodge went on to explain that in order to
ensure only players of the highest calibre are granted permits
the current 75 per cent international appearance criteria would
be retained. An appeals panel, including representation from the
football governing bodies and up to three independent individual
experts, would consider applications which did not meet the 75
per cent criteria but for which evidence had been provided in
support of the player's calibre. The panel's recommendation would
be forwarded to the Department for a final Ministerial decision.
Mrs Hodge has the support of Ministerial colleagues
to implement this package of proposals in partnership with you
and the other football bodies. She is grateful to the Football
League and the other bodies for assistance in drawing up these
proposals and would welcome early confirmation of your support.
Jim Martin
Sports & Entertainments Team
Overseas Labour Service
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