Augusto Palacios urges PSL to reduce foreign-player limit

Former Orlando Pirates director of football Augusto Palacios has called on the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to reduce the number of foreign players clubs can register, saying a lower quota would give more opportunities to South African youngsters.

The PSL’s regulations currently allow each club to contract up to five foreign players. Article 34 of the PSL Handbook states: “A Member Club may not have more than 5 (five) foreign players contracted with it at any point in time.”

It also says: “A Member Club in the Premier Division may field any number of its registered foreign players in any particular match.”

Palacios believes that limit should be reduced to three players per club. The development coach, who has worked with young players for decades, said the current rules could restrict opportunities for local talent.

“I respect what the PSL is doing. But when you have five, they are taking the opportunities of the local players,” Palacios told Soccer Laduma.

The former Orlando Pirates official stressed that his view was not directed against foreign footballers, and pointed to his own background as an example.

“This is my opinion. I have nothing against the foreigners. As you know, I’m a foreigner myself, because I was born in Peru. And when the foreigner is a good quality, our local players will learn from them,” he said.

Palacios added that a reduction in the quota could benefit both domestic clubs and the South Africa national team by creating more space for emerging players.

“But I still believe that the League needs to give more opportunities to local players. This is my opinion. More youngsters will get their opportunities if there are spaces for them. That’ll also boost the national team,” he said.

Foreign players account for approximately 13.2% of the total League personnel this season, according to TransferMarkt.

Palacios moved to South Africa during the 1980s while still a player before moving into coaching, where he developed a particular focus on youth development.

He currently runs the Augusto Palacios Apprentice Academy in Johannesburg.