Brexit Could Have 'Extremely Damaging' Effect On Football Clubs, Say Chairmen

16 August 2018


Brexit might be "extremely harmful" to English football, claim two chairmen.


Burnley chairman Mike Garlick says uncertainty over a deal with the European Union is already making it harder for clubs to sign players.


Stoke chairman Peter Coates included that the Premier League could be struck by freedom-of-movement limitations.


"The damaging Brexit path being pursued by the federal government threatens to have a hugely harmful result on clubs across the country," stated Garlick.


Speaking to the People's Vote project,, external he included: "It threatens to make the widening inequality gap in our leading division even worse.


"The hit to the worth of the pound against the euro, mainly caused by Brexit uncertainty, is already making it harder for clubs to sign players.


"And ending freedom of movement will make it a lot more tough for teams to draw in the right talent, if the federal government brings in more restrictive conditions for work visas for players from Europe."


Voters in Burnley and Stoke both backed Britain's exit from the EU - 67% of citizens in Burnley stated they wished to leave, while the figure was 69% in Stoke.


In a letter launched on Wednesday reacting to questions over flexibility of movement, Sport Minister Tracey Crouch stated the federal government "absolutely acknowledges the value of sport to the UK" and "is determined to guarantee that our sport sector continues to thrive".


Currently, players from the EU are allowed to play professional football in England as part of freedom-of-movement rules, while those from outside the EU requirement work permits.


The government is in settlements with the EU over an arrangement on the future relationship in between the 2 - if settlements stop working, it could mean a "no deal" Brexit, which may jeopardise those freedom-of-movement guidelines.


Crouch included that the white paper - which describes its position on Brexit - sets out its aspiration to "negotiate a framework for mobility" that will end totally free movement, but make it possible for people to continue to travel in Europe.


Stoke chairman Coates, whose household's Bet365 Group contributed ₤ 250,000 to the Remain project before the 2016 referendum, stated he desired the finest for the Championship club however that "it's tough to seed how a botched Brexit will assist".


"The unfavorable consequences are plain for all to see," he included.


"The fall in the worth of the pound that we've currently seen, along with the threat to our country's financial success, can not be brushed under the carpet.


"Depending on the Brexit offer, the Premier League, among our nation's success stories, could be harmed by freedom-of-movement restrictions. This might also impact the Championship.


"If this goes terribly, it will be places like Stoke that suffer the many."


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