No work permit but can still play

[sgw]

Hi. In the last year in-game I've signed a few young players who failed to get work permits, yet are still available for selection in the Championship (I had expected to loan them out until they got enough caps for a WP).  Is this working as designed? I've noticed a couple of Steam threads like this one: http://steamcommunity.com/app/624090/discussions/0/1698293255135226559/ reporting the same issue, but nothing else in the bugs forum or on here. Thanks.

Edit: If it matters, I'm in 2029 and have a hard Brexit to deal with.