13 Jul 2014 08:59:57
Hi ed, could you or someone else on here explain to MD how work permits work? And why are some people able to obtain them with relative ease and others won't be granted? Thank in advance to all that help. COYB

{Ed002's Note - The situation with work permits is that a player will be granted one if (a) he has played 75% of games at full international level for two years for a country ranked reasonably high up by FIFA (top 75), or (b) if an exemption is applied for and granted under the "exceptional talent" provisions. For example, if a case is made to the authorities that a young South American is a demonstrable talent and clearly one for the future, it should be reasonably easy to have an exemption granted. If however, a pretty much run of the mill or average player was being bought and it was clear they are not appreciably better than those which could be found locally, or are being bought because they are cheap, then it will be much more difficult to obtain a work permit. The downside of the system in the UK is that the "bigger" English clubs can cherry pick the decent talent available and can obtain exemptions, and the rest of the players are assumed not to be talented enough for an exemption (as Chelsea or Manchester United etc. don't want them) and therefore obtaining the exemption is much tougher. Some players can obtain work permits through their parents or grand parents being English.}

1.) 13 Jul 2014
Ahh okay I get you now! Thanks ed!