Just curious, should Scotland vote for independence, what changes would you expect to happen to the SPL, and lower leagues? Will the foreign player rules change? I guess that is my only question.
It will depend on whether Scotland is in the EU or not. If they are, then they won't change. If not, then they will most likely change.
Why do you think they wouldn't change if they are in the EU? Each country sets up their own rules, as in Germany where it is a fairly easy place to get a work permit, or difficult in England, Scotland, and Italy.
EU rules require them to allow all citizens of EU member nations to live and work there (they also set certain requirements that must be met to provide work permits to citizens of non-EU nations). So if they stay in the EU, they can't change that. Admittedly, they wouldn't have to restrict EU immigration just cause they aren't in it, but I don't think it would be very popular with the public if they did. And yes, certain countries can make their own rules even stricter than the EU baselines. But I thought most countries required a player have certain amount of caps (can't remember exactly what number of the top of my head) with their national team in the last year(s?) before they would be granted a work permit? Is that not true of Germany?
No, each FA has its own rules for work permit. Germany - if you make enough money to support yourself, you get a work permit. France - limits number of non-EU spots Italy - very low non-EU limit, 1 or 2 Netherlands - minimum salary for non EU players is €400,000 +/- Belgium - minimum salary for non EU players €75,000 Spain - non EU limit Denmark - Non-EU limit, but also minimum salary €35,000 or so. The Caps rule is only in England and Scotland. I'm thinking Scotland is going to go to a more lenient rule in order to increase interest in the league. Open the doors for Yanks, Canucks, Aussies to step into the league.
Hmmm, if it is the individual FAs that set the rules, and the already independent SFA already has that rule, why would they change it? And why couldn't they have already changed it before now if they wanted to let in more non-EUs?
This may help with the current rules: http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/193378-explained-uk-work-permit-rules-for-footballers/
These things aren't always clear cut. Like with Jason Scotland, who was given a work permit to play for St Johnstone only a couple of weeks after being denied one for Dundee Utd. My guess would be that the rules would be relaxed/altered somewhat on this issue, but it's difficult to be sure.
Dude's name is "Scotland" that's pretty serious argument right there I expect them to become more open, but with limits.
it's not the FAs who set the rules. They are government rules. A change in rules wouldn't really help much anyway. The calibre of player the likes of Motherwell and Kilmarnock could draw with their 4000 crowds is hardly likely to boost the appeal of the league.
Thanks. That is going to be an issue, but it could open the door for them to find talents, have them qualify for an EU work permit (like Belgium), and then ship them off for a bigger transfer fee than they are getting now.
Ditto for Glasgow (as a whole), but then, that was always going to be the case. Not difficult to guess what the capital voted for...