American Influx Alarms Head of English Soccer Players’ Union

The head of the soccer players’ union in England doesn’t like Americans playing on his home turf.

“Not so long ago we were teaching the Americans how to play,” Gordon Taylor said Monday. “Now I’ve got work permits for them piling up on my desk. It could be disastrous for us.”

Coventry City pursued U.S. defender Alexi Lalas, who signed last month with Padova of Italy’s first division. Coventry then signed Cobi Jones, Lalas’ World Cup teammate, to join forward Roy Wegerle, a South African who gained American citizenship two years ago. Wegerle has played in England since the 1986-87 season.

“You don’t want people coming in who are no better than the people here, just cheaper,” Taylor said.