Brexit Could Have 'Hugely Damaging' Effect On Football Clubs, Say Chairmen
16 August 2018
Brexit might be "extremely harmful" to English football, declare two chairmen.
Burnley chairman Mike Garlick says over a handle the European Union is already making it harder for clubs to sign gamers.
Stoke chairman Peter Coates added that the Premier League could be struck by freedom-of-movement constraints.
"The harmful Brexit course being pursued by the government threatens to have an extremely damaging effect on clubs across the nation," stated Garlick.
Speaking with the People's Vote campaign,, external he added: "It threatens to make the widening inequality space in our leading division even worse.
"The hit to the value of the pound versus the euro, mainly triggered by Brexit unpredictability, is already making it harder for clubs to sign players.
"And ending freedom of motion will make it a lot more challenging for teams to bring in the right skill, if the federal government generates more restrictive conditions for work visas for gamers from Europe."
Voters in Burnley and Stoke both backed Britain's exit from the EU - 67% of voters in Burnley stated they wanted to leave, while the figure was 69% in Stoke.
In a letter launched on Wednesday reacting to concerns over freedom of movement, Sport Minister Tracey Crouch stated the federal government "absolutely acknowledges the worth of sport to the UK" and "is figured out to guarantee that our sport sector continues to flourish".
Currently, gamers from the EU are allowed to play expert football in England as part of freedom-of-movement rules, while those from outside the EU requirement work permits.
The government is in negotiations with the EU over a contract on the future relationship in between the two - if negotiations fail, it might indicate a "no offer" Brexit, which might jeopardise those freedom-of-movement rules.
Crouch included that the federal government's white paper - which describes its position on Brexit - sets out its ambition to "work out a framework for movement" that will end free movement, however allow people to continue to take a trip in Europe.
Stoke chairman Coates, whose family's Bet365 Group contributed ₤ 250,000 to the Remain campaign before the 2016 referendum, said he wanted the very best for the Championship club however that "it's hard to seed how a botched Brexit will help".
"The unfavorable effects appear for all to see," he added.
"The fall in the worth of the pound that we've already seen, as well as the risk to our nation's financial prosperity, can not be brushed under the carpet.
"Depending on the Brexit offer, the Premier League, one of our nation's success stories, could be damaged by freedom-of-movement restrictions. This might also affect the Championship.
"If this goes badly, it will be places like Stoke that suffer the most."
Reality Check: What could Brexit suggest for the Premier League?
10 August 2018