Scottish FA confirm appeals panel for January overseas signings

Scottish clubs will be able to sign players from the European Union in January, if they are approved by an appeals panel convened by the Scottish FA.

The temporary measure has been agreed by the Home Office with the Scottish FA and SPFL to cover the initial period following the UK’s departure from the European Union.

In English football, all players arriving from Europe after Brexit will be subject to a new points-based system, that will mark players on international caps, appearances and the club they are signing from.

There were fears that imposing the same criteria on players arriving in Scotland would seriously limit the ability of clubs to make signings next month.

The agreement means that a panel convened by the governing body would recommend a player for a Governing Body Endorsement, similar to the process for non-EU players applying for a work permit at present.

The Scottish FA and SPFL said that talks will continue about a solution after the January transfer window.

A joint statement read: “In light of the announcement by the Home Office in relation to Governing Body Endorsement for overseas players being signed in a post-Brexit UK, the Scottish FA and Scottish Professional Football League are pleased to confirm that Scotland will retain its discretionary appeals panel for the January transfer window.

“Discussions with the Home Office specific to Scottish football’s framework for signing overseas players beyond the January transfer window remain ongoing with a view to any criteria being proportionate and workable in the context of our game.”