The proposed UK immigration cap could be extended to footballers. The House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee has commented in a report on the exemption from the cap for international sportspeople, noting an observation made to them: ‘It’s a sad reflection of our priorities as a nation if we cannot afford the same recognition for elite scientists and engineers.’ The Committee agrees, stating: ‘We consider it totally illogical that professional sportspeople should be exempted from the cap but elite international scientists are not.’
The proposed UK immigration cap could be extended to footballers. The House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee has commented in a report on the exemption from the cap for international sportspeople, noting an observation made to them: ‘It’s a sad reflection of our priorities as a nation if we cannot afford the same recognition for elite scientists and engineers.’ The Committee agrees, stating: ‘We consider it totally illogical that professional sportspeople should be exempted from the cap but elite international scientists are not.’
Reports from House of Commons committees are not binding on the Government, but they can be influential. Players that could be affected include Russian-born Andrey Arshavin of Arsenal and Emmanuel Adebayor, the Togolese-born Manchester City player.