Wenger becomes latest leading football figure to warn of negative impact of leaving EU
Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, one of the most respected figures in English football, has become the latest person working in the Premier League to warn about the negative effect leaving Europe would have on our national game.
Speaking to the Guardian, Mr Wenger said: “It raises many questions. Will the European players be considered as they are now? For example, if England votes for Brexit, will the French be considered like South Americans players [who require work permits]? That would completely re-question the influx of foreign players. Will England go that way? If they did, that would leave the Premier League with some questions.”
Commenting, Chief Campaign Spokesman for Stronger In, James McGrory, said:
“Arsene Wenger has been at the forefront of bringing the best players from around Europe to play in Premier League, which has helped to make it the envy of the rest of the world.
“Our stadiums are packed every week with fans who want to watch the likes of Dimitri Payet, N’Golo Kante and Arsenal’s own Hector Bellerin. As Wenger says, leaving the EU risks supporters missing out on seeing emerging talents from Europe coming to the play at their clubs.
“Leading figures in football are clear – leaving the EU would disfigure the beautiful game in this country.”
Research has shown that over 100 Premier League players could have been prevented from joining their clubs if the UK was not a member of the EU, with some of its biggest names unable to secure automatic work permits due to not having played enough competitive international matches.
A breakdown of all 20 Premier League clubs can be seen at www.strongerin.co.uk/football. Fans can select their team to how it could be impacted with details of the players, the goals they’ve scored and the number of assists.
Arsene Wenger’s comments in the Guardian can be read here
Other leading figures in football, including the chairmen of Stoke City Peter Coates, and West Ham United’s Karren Brady have previously spoken out about the negative impact leaving the EU could have on English football:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/article4721820.ece
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jan/29/karren-brady-warns-brexit-british-clubs