The Premiership's foreign players are being allowed to skip their English language lessons.

The Mirror says following a Football Association request, they will get a year's exemption and be allowed to enter Britain as temporary workers under Tier 5 of the points-based immigration system.

This means players will not have to pass language test.

Later they will transfer to Tier 2 when they will be expected to learn English as skilled workers.

The change will affect those signed during the January transfer window, possibly including Manchester City target Kaka, the Brazil star.

Immigration Minister Phil Woolas said Britain must be "open and attractive" for top sports stars.