Professional Footballers Australia fears Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton's changes to the skilled labor visa rules could have a "seismic and adverse impact on Australian football," with uncertainty among A-League clubs "about their ability to retain overseas talent," according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The clubs "are in the peak of their recruitment" for next season, but the federal government is "yet to provide any clarity" on the future of the long-term visa eligibility for foreign players, prompting Football Federation Australia to seek advice from the department. An FFA spokesperson said, "FFA is awaiting formal advice from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection in regards to requirements for visa players." There are "fears the changes could restrict the tenure of foreign players" to four years in the A-League and W-League due to the phasing out of the 457 skilled immigration visa and its replacement with a shorter-term visa (two years), and longer-term one (up to four years). PFA CEO John Didulica said, "There's no doubt that there is potential for the government's changes to the 457 visas to have a seismic and adverse impact on Australian football. There is increased uncertainty around requirements applying to players, particularly those from key markets in South America and Asia" (SMH, 7/13).
