Le jeu belle

Widespread consternation has been caused by the announcement of a tightening of the rules around foreign football players coming to the UK. For those coming from outside the EU, both players and their wives will be expected to speak English to secure a work permit. Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, has warned: “It’s fair that we should now set our expectation that they’re able to speak English before they come here.”

Fortunately for the future of the game in England, there are, as yet, no proposed requirements that British players should be able to speak English before they start work.