The English Football Association’s (FA’s) plans to limit the numbers of foreign players at Premier League clubs could serve as a blow to Percy Tau and other South Africans hopeful of one day featuring in one of the world’s elite leagues. But if the FA’s plans go through, it could also make it easier for exceptional SA talent to feature in England with the abolishment of work-permit criteria‚ in what will be a double-edged sword for Bafana stars. English clubs are allowed to have 17 players from outside the country in squads‚ but this could be slashed to 12 if the FA get their way in a proposal that will be discussed with clubs this week. Tau is on loan at the Belgian second-tier side Royal Union St Gilloise from Premier League Brighton & Hove Albion‚ who have almost maxed out their foreign quota and also have Israeli forward Tomer Hemed out on loan. A reduction to 12 players per team would make it that much harder for Tau to win a place in the squad. The FA are using England’s Brexi...
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