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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.