English soccer clubs have been given a two-week deadline to ensure they are not fielding players with false passports.
In a letter to the secretaries of all English clubs FA chief executive Adam Crozier said they were responsible for verifying passports carried by players from outside the EU.
"Clubs should take all possible steps to verify the authenticity of documents when a player who originates from outside the EU comes to the United Kingdom on a EU passport," Crozier wrote.
"Any club that has not already done so should contact the immigration service within the next two weeks to confirm the validity of documents for all such players."
European Union passports allow players to play in the EU without work permits.
Crozier is scheduled to meet the secretary of the world governing body FIFA, Michael Zen-Ruffinen, in Zurich on Wednesday to discuss the problem.
The problem is particularly severe in England, France, Spain and Italy and last week FIFA wrote to every national association in the world urging greater vigiliance in spotting false documents.
Reuters