"A player must have played for his country in at least 75 percent of competitive 'A' team matches he was available for selection for, during the two years preceding the date of the application." (Law regarding work permit arrangements for non-European Economic Area soccer players).
Santos' transfer to Charlton Athletic in England's Premier League fell through over a rule requiring foreign internationals to have played in a certain percentage of their country's matches over the preceding two years.This law may raise a few eyebrows when applied to the failed transfer of Alessandro "Alex" Santos from J. League side Shimizu S-Pulse to Charlton Athletic of the English Premier League.