Premier League Provides Response to Brexit Vote in EU Referendum
The Premier League issued a statement on Friday in response to the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union, and it insisted it will be patient before considering any future planning.
Per BBC, the decision was revealed on Friday after polling took place in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Thursday. With the implications of the decision still not clear, English football’s top flight said through a spokesman it would not be rushing to any conclusions, per James Whaling of the Daily Mirror:
"The Premier League is a hugely successful sporting competition that has strong domestic and global appeal. This will continue to be the case regardless of the referendum result.
Given the uncertain nature of what the political and regulatory landscape might be following the 'Leave' vote, there is little point second guessing the implications until there is greater clarity. Clearly, we will continue to work with Government and other bodies whatever the outcome of any process.
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In what was a shocking result, votes to leave the European Union received 51.9 per cent of the vote, with remain supporters making up the 48.1 per cent left over, per BBC. It’s a decision that prompted Prime Minister David Cameron to announce that he’ll resign from his position in October.
The potential positive and negative effects on English football have already been discussed in some quarters.
Per Ben Reynolds of Sky Sports, investment banker Keith Harris suggested that players, such as Anthony Martial at Manchester United, West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet and Leicester City star N’Golo Kante, would not have been able to join their clubs had a Brexit been actioned 12 months earlier due to tightening work permit regulations.
Ahead of the referendum, former England defender Sol Campbell talked up the benefits a successful leave vote would have for the division.
“The Premier League is in danger of becoming a free-for-all because, along with the star players, we are seeing teams load up with too many mediocre overseas footballers, especially from Europe, crowding out young English and British talent,” he said in a column for the Daily Mail, backing a Brexit.
