Barnsley are ‘concerned’ that their policy of recruiting players and head coaches from overseas could be hindered when the UK leaves the European Union next month.

From January 1, in order to move to English clubs, players from EU countries will have to obtain a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE), which has been formulated by the FA, Premier League and EFL and approved by the Home Office.

It will work on a points-based system with points scored for appearances at club and international level as well as the standard of the selling club – stopping Barnsley from signing players with the same career history as current defender Mads Andersen.

For head coaches, they must have managed for two successive years, or three in total, in a ‘top league’ which includes 20 countries in Europe, and some further afield, as well some second tiers. Barnsley’s last three head coaches – Valerien Ismael, Gerhard Struber and Daniel Stendel – would not automatically qualify but there will be an ‘exceptions panel’.

Chief executive Dane Murphy has previously said that the law changes could have a detrimental impact on the club’s transfer policy.

Head coach Ismael said: “The board is concerned about this situation and, in the next few weeks, we will speak about all the possibilities. For the moment, I am only focused on the games. It is the December 3, so January 1 is a long time.”

Meanwhile, the Premier League and EFL announced yesterday that £200million in interest free loans – £8.33million each – will be available to Championship clubs to help them cope with the financial pressures of the coronavirus crisis. Grants of £50million in total are available for clubs in League One and League Two.