The English Premier League said Britain’s decision to leave the EU would not harm the prestige of the world’s most popular domestic soccer competition, but experts warned on Friday of long-term damage to soccer’s transfer system.
The free movement of players around Europe — a legacy of the seminal 1995 Bosman ruling — together with huge television revenues raked in by Premier League clubs, have made England the destination of choice for many of Europe’s top players.
Last season, 432 players from EU nations were registered to play in the 20-team Premier League, according to Sky Sports.
Although they are not to be affected immediately, Britain’s eventual exit could spell trouble.
Players from outside the EU have to meet certain requirements before being granted work permits, such as having played 30 percent of games in the two years prior to moving.
The signing of young players could also be affected, as FIFA’s rule that players aged under 18 cannot be transferred across borders would be applied to Britain.
It is against EU rules to restrict the movement of people aged 16 to 18. Arsenal are one club to benefit from that exemption, signing Spaniard Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona when he was 16.
Premier League clubs could find themselves missing out to German, Spanish and Italian clubs in the hunt for young talent.
However, Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said Brexit could actually help English players get more opportunities.
“One of my concerns in my period as chairman has been the decline in the opportunities for kids at the bigger clubs to get through and into the first team — very few make it,” Dyke told Sky Sports. “If anything happens that gives them better chances, then I welcome it.”
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