What's happened
Advocate General Maciej Szpunar has provided legal guidance stating that UEFA-backed quotas requiring teams to register a minimum number of locally trained players may create indirect discrimination against players from other EU countries.
Why it matters
The potential discrimination in UEFA rules on homegrown players raises questions about the compatibility of these rules with EU free movement laws and the impact on players from other EU countries.
What the papers say
The Independent says that the UEFA rules are likely to create indirect discrimination against players from other EU countries, while The Japan Times highlights that the new visa system after Brexit has made it more difficult for Premier League clubs to sign players at a younger age. The Football Association suggests a limited relaxation of post-Brexit rules on work permits for overseas players as a possible solution to attract star talent at lower prices while still giving opportunities to homegrown players.
How we got here
UEFA rules on homegrown players have been in place since 2005 to limit wealthy clubs from hoarding players from across Europe. However, a judge in Belgium has asked the European Union's court to examine if these rules comply with free movement of labor and competition law in the EU.
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