Soccer-New rules allow English clubs to sign players who do not meet work permit requirements

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Euro 2020 - England Press Conference - St. George's Park, Burton Upon Trent, Britain - June 25, 2021 FA chief executive officer Mark Bullingham during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Nick Potts/File Photo

(Reuters) - English clubs will be able to sign a specified number of players who do not meet the points requirements for work permits after the interior ministry approved new criteria for international player visas, the Football Association said on Wednesday.

The new Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) Criteria, effective from the opening of the transfer window on June 14th, will allow Premier League and Championship teams to sign up to four such players. League One and League Two teams will be able to sign two.