England football players will be exempt from national service duties under the Conservatives’ plans to re-introduce the programme, as revealed by a cabinet minister.
The proposed plans unveiled by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak means 18-year-olds would be forced to carry out a form of national service if the Tories win the upcoming General Election.
The most recent form of compulsory national service in the UK was abolished in 1960, and required all physically fit male British citizens aged between 18 and 26 to serve in the armed forces.
Members of the Royal family including heir to the throne, Prince George, would also be required to partake in national service, but football players within the England set-up could be exempt as reported by The Sun.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride, revealed there would be exemptions under the national service plans and when pressed on whether professional English footballers could fall into that category said: ‘Yes absolutely.’
England football players will be exempt from national service duties under the Conservatives ‘ plans to re-introduce the programme
Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride , revealed there would be exemptions under the national service plans for footballers
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He continued to explain the situation, adding: ‘We would have to recognise there are some circumstances where there would need to be some form of exemptions.
‘I think the general principle you have raised is absolutely right – that there will inevitably need to be some, probably quite narrow, exemptions.’
The proposed national service plans would see 18-year-old’s take part in a full-time placement in the armed forces for 12 months or spend one weekend a month for a year ‘volunteering’ in their community.
Mr Sunak’s new scheme could also include other forms of service including charity and community work such as helping local fire, police and ambulance services.
Players at the age of 18 with a future in England’s professional ranks are usually part of an academy set-up or already competing in the Premier League or EFL.
Players from England’s Under-17 team competing in the European Championship in Portugal
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to re-introduce national service for 18-year-old’s if he wins the next election
However, it has not yet been confirmed what level of competition individuals would need to be playing at to avoid national service duties.
The system is currently in place in countries such as South Korea where footballers and professional athletes aren’t given an exemption.
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min previously completed a three-week basic military training course in his home nation three-years ago during the period that the Premier League was on a break due to the coronavirus pandemic.
All able-bodied South Korean men must serve two years in the military, though Son has previously earned an exemption for winning gold at the Asian Games in 2018.
