August 16 – Brexit could be “hugely damaging” to English football, according to the chairman of Premier League club Burnley. Mike Garlick (pictured) warned that the end of freedom of movement and the fall in the value of the pound will harm British clubs.
Currently, EU players are allowed to compete as part of freedom of movement rules – but those from outside the EU need to get work permits. This is likely to radically change under Brexit.
“The destructive Brexit path being pursued by the Government threatens to have a hugely damaging effect on football clubs across the country,” Garlick was quoted as saying.
“Ending freedom of movement will make it much more difficult for teams to attract the right talent if the Government brings in more restrictive conditions for work visas for players from Europe.”
“It threatens to make the widening inequality gap in our top division even worse. The hit to the value of the pound against the euro, largely caused by Brexit uncertainty, is already making it harder for clubs to sign players.”
In a letter responding to questions over freedom of movement, Sports minister Tracy Crouch said the government recognises “the need for sports, including football, rugby and cricket, to continue to be able to access talent from the EU and globally.”
But she added: “Leaving the EU will mean an end to freedom of movement. As I have previously explained, we fully recognise the need for UK sports to access top global talent and conversely for British sportspeople to compete at the highest levels of international sport.”
Stoke City chairman Peter Coates, whose club was relegated in May to the second-tier Championship, warned: “The negative consequences are plain for all to see. Depending on the Brexit deal, the Premier League, one of our country’s success stories, could be damaged by freedom-of-movement restrictions. This could also affect the Championship.”
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