The FA is looking to protect the England women’s team by bringing in a quota system.
The game’s governing body believes domestic talent in the Super League will thrive if the number of foreign players is limited.
Officials will discuss restrictions during the coming season with a view to bringing in new rules from the start of the 2020-21 campaign.
The spectre of Brexit is stalling any progress on the issue, but with the success of the national team seen as a crucial driver of the women’s game, the FA wants to act.
The split between homegrown and overseas players is 50/50 – but the number of imports has risen steadily.
(Image: PA)
Kelly Simmons, director of the women’s professional game, outlined the plan, saying: “One of our jobs is to sit down and agree a policy on England-qualified players.
“We have to do something because of Brexit. There are big discussions to be had.
“We need to do this because a successful England side is massively important for the women’s game.
“If you look at the metrics and measures surrounding the Lionesses – with 11.7million people watching the World Cup semi-final – the ability to make our players household names through the Super League is vital.
(Image: Reuters)
“What we need is a balance. We need to develop English players alongside the best in the world to have a brilliant league.
“In that context, we need to get the right balance and find a solution.”
The FA has also revealed that professional elite female officials may be on the horizon, too.They have spoken to the Professional Match Game Officials’ Ltd officials – who run the Premier League – and want to fast-track the best.
Stephanie Frappart of France became the first woman to referee a senior men’s game, this month’s UEFA Super Cup between Liverpool and Chelsea in Istanbul.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
Simmons added: “There are two key questions: how do we support referees in the Super League? And how do we accelerate officials through UEFA and FIFA? We have had three successive tournaments where we haven’t had representation among the referees. That needs to change. We’ve a specific plan in place with the PMGOL for elite female refs who could come through and referee the European Championships in 2021.
“Whether that enables them to accelerate through to the men’s game I don’t know.
“Internally, we have talked about elite professional female referees.
“First, we will focus on the best and develop them. And the evolution will be professional referees in the Super League.
