Increase In Football Players From Overseas

EDM number 2036 in 2006-07, proposed by Bob Russell on 08/10/2007.

That this House registers with concern the large increase in the number of professional footballers from overseas countries now playing in England, notably in the Premiership but also in the Football League; observes that whereas in 1992, the first season of the Premiership, there were just 11 foreign players, the number of overseas players now registered to play in the Premiership outnumbers those from the United Kingdom, with 331 signed from 66 different countries, representing more than 60 per cent. of those on the books of the 20 clubs; believes that this huge increase in players from overseas is to the detriment of the long-term interests of professional football in England and the future prospects of the national team in international competitions; and calls on the Government, working in partnership with the football authorities, to discourage football clubs from recruiting so many overseas players and instead to promote the development of football talent within the UK.

This motion has been signed by a total of 14 MPs.