Brexit Might Have 'Hugely Damaging' Effect On Football Clubs, Say Chairmen

16 August 2018


Brexit could be "hugely harmful" to English football, claim 2 chairmen.


Burnley chairman Mike Garlick states unpredictability over an offer with the European Union is already making it harder for clubs to sign gamers.


Stoke chairman Peter Coates added that the Premier League could be hit by freedom-of-movement constraints.


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


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


"The hit to the worth of the pound versus the euro, largely triggered by Brexit uncertainty, is already making it harder for clubs to sign players.


"And ending flexibility of motion will make it far more hard for groups to draw in the ideal skill, if the government generates more restrictive conditions for work visas for gamers from Europe."


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


In a letter launched on Wednesday responding to concerns over flexibility of movement, Sport Minister Tracey Crouch said the federal government "definitely identifies the worth of sport to the UK" and "is figured out to ensure that our sport sector continues to flourish".


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


The federal government remains in settlements with the EU over an agreement on the future relationship between the 2 - if negotiations stop working, it might suggest a "no offer" Brexit, which might jeopardise those freedom-of-movement rules.


Crouch included that the government's white paper - which details its position on Brexit - sets out its aspiration to "negotiate a structure for movement" that will end totally free movement, but enable individuals to continue to travel in Europe.


Stoke chairman Coates, whose family's Bet365 Group contributed ₤ 250,000 to the Remain project before the 2016 referendum, said he desired the best for the Championship club however that "it's difficult to seed how a botched Brexit will help".


"The negative repercussions are plain for all to see," he added.


"The fall in the value of the pound that we have actually already seen, in addition to the danger to our country's economic success, can not be brushed under the carpet.


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


"If this goes badly, it will be locations like Stoke that suffer one of the most."


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