FEARS of a mass footballing exodus to the northern hemisphere have been partially allayed with the European Union this month moving to limit the number of Kolpak players allowed in its sporting competitions.

Athletes such as Sonny Bill Williams are considered local players in England and Europe, and are therefore exempt from restrictions placed on foreigners. That status was made possible by Maros Kolpak, a Slovakian handball player, who in 2003 convinced the European Court of Justice that athletes from countries within the EU and their associate trading partners should be allowed to work freely anywhere in the zone.

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