01 Oct 2015 20:28:23
This post is about football, so please bear with me :-)
The subject I'm writing about - the UK's membership the European Union - might be of little interest to many posters, but I think it could create some issues for our football.
If the UK left the EU, could that mean that all non-UK footballers freely allowed to play in the UK currently because of being from the EU would be subject to similar work permit regulations as applied to non-EU players from the rest of the world? I'd imagine that current non-UK players would be allowed to stay, while future signings would have to meet (revised) work permit regulations. Where would the UK leaving the EU place players from the Republic of Ireland? I'd also expect work permit regulations would also apply to non-UK managers, coaches and other staff.
If Scotland became independent and left the UK - as appears likely if the rest of UK left the EU - could that mean that Scottish players, managers, coaches, etc., would also be subject to revised regulations about working in England?
Scottish independence would surely end any prospect of a British League wherein Celtic, Rangers, etc., join the Premier League. Irrespective of what happens with the EU and Scottish independence, any British League would be unlikely to retain the same number of Champions League and Europa League places as they do individually at present - so why would English clubs vote for it? Besides, why would English clubs put their incomes (and places in the Premier League) at risk by letting the Scottish clubs compete with them?
Whatever happens about the EU and Scottish independence, at least UEFA and FIFA couldn't still complain about one nation - the UK - having four separate national football teams - England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - which has often seemed to be a source of annoyance with the international ruling bodies. (Goodness knows what would happen if there was a unified Irish football team - but that's an issue way beyond me.)
If Scotland became independent, then how soon before Wales would want to go its own way - especially if England was clearly anti-EU while the UK's other nations were staunchly pro-EU.
As I wrote at the beginning, this isn't of current interest to most posters, but imagine if Everton was severely restricted in its use of non-EU staff - and, more importantly, if the wealthier clubs were creaming off many more of the talented English players. On reflection - despite all the controversy about immigration - I'd imagine that the use of non-UK footballers would be exempt from normal regulations. That's even though the FA would like to reduce the number of non-English footballers at our clubs.
Anybody interested in this - or have an opinion?
02 Oct 2015 03:56:26
Well if we carry on allowing in millions of the worlds economic migrants then whether Everton or other premier league clubs are allowed European players will be the least of our problems.
Whatever happens there will be a level playing field between us and the other Prem clubs so not too worried.
The European champions league has ruined English top division football - as the mega money from that competition has distorted our league into a 3 or 4 horse race with Manu Chelsea ManC and Arsenal now being set in stone (barring a freaky Suarez or Moyes season) in those top four exclusive places - so get used to it blues - excluded from the top four or winning anything for decades to come - if not forever - what's the point?
02 Oct 2015 09:38:33
Things are changing slightly with the new money though Latch, in the past there is no way us or the Baggies would have been able to turn down the cash offered for Stones and Babyhino, I know we can never keep up with them financially as their fanbases are huge and billionaire owners don't help us at all, also the more they play in the Champs league then the more fans they get, could just pray for a super league and take Arsenal/Chelsea/Utd and City away to do their own things, not sure Sly would dish out the huge sums they do then, be good for us though as would be between us and Spurs each season ha ha (ok maybe the Koppites could be close)
02 Oct 2015 11:50:03
Sid some interesting points made you forgot the Bosman issue. On the whole really looking forward to the carnage that will ensue. It will only help the National football teams in the future as academy's would need to produce good footballers. I can see this being an issue in the short term as the rich clubs try to buy all the good players but all the players that sit on the benches while foreigners play would get game time and improve a lot quicker I think would also save clubs cash in the long term especially those with good academies. I also think it may drive prices down as clubs would be limited to the number of foreigners so would only buy the best the young British players would then learn from the best and should therefore improve. No foreign journeymen clogging up the teams.
02 Oct 2015 17:14:30
sa90: I didn't mention Bosman, as I was mainly writing about how the UK's membership of the EU - or, rather, the UK leaving the EU - would affect which non-UK players could still move freely into English football.
Beyond Bosman (which I take to mean freedom of movement for out of contract players), the pressure to allow freedom for players to move even when still in-contract and the pressure to eliminate transfer fees altogether are concerns, as I reckon it would mean that many lower-tier clubs (who depend on getting decent transfer fees - not just measly "training compensation" - for the talent they develop) wouldn't survive - plus the agents (and the topmost players) would take even more of the TV money that is now sloshing about the game.
I'd fear that money would disappear out of the game unless there are strong regulations by the FA, etc., about spending a larger proportion on infrastructure, academies, community projects and suchlike.
I'm conflicted about the money in the modern game. I'd love Everton to afford top players and I accept that those top players deserve to be paid well (as should anyone at the top of his/her trade), but are those vast football salaries truly justifiable in today's world of so many problems, hardships and inequalities? That's why I'm so impressed when I see someone like Steven Naismith, who's well rewarded for being a professional footballer, doing his work for charity - a top bloke if ever there was one n my humble opinion.
03 Oct 2015 11:50:04
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{Ed007's Note - I deleted your post, I can easily do the same with your account.}