Brexit, the word came into existence in early months of 2016 when Britain firstly announced its exit from EU. The statement quickly spread a turbulent wave in the whole world especially to the other members of EU. At that time, none was able to understand what was happening and why Britain is having this exit. Numerous meeting and press conferences took place in no time, but nobody could get any clear idea about the upcoming consequences of this exit by the UK. Everyone was waiting to know how the UK will vote for this exit. 51.9% of votes were in favor of Brexit and rest 48.1 % votes went against it. EU nationals knew that it was going to be a big change for them, especially the players who play football. The players knew that the UK's exit from EU may originate lots of changes in the system they are part of.
Now, after one year of Brexit's referendum, the UK has finally invoked Article 50 of Lisbon treaty on 29th of March, 2017 leaving most of the premier league clubs in fear of its impact. Following are the parameters which may get affected and impact the English football big way:
1) Freedom of Movement: In accordance with four fundamentals of freedom by the EU, it is the right of the citizens to move freely among the member states for the purpose of employment. Now as Britain has left EU, it will not at all be easy for the EU nationals to enter the UK. This kind of restriction on citizens will clearly impact the citizens to work, especially those who play football. These football players will not be able to work with the UK football clubs that easily as it was before Brexit. Unless the UK government gets into some agreement with an individual member state of EU considering "Freedom of Movement", the EU citizens have to face uncertainty. Such an uncertainty among the players is going to have a bad impact on their game and career. It was because of Freedom of Moment only that these players were able to work for various clubs of EU without any work permit. After Brexit, things are never going to be the same. The players have to get a work visa to work with football clubs in the UK and it won't be that easy.
2) Work Permit: The second major impact which Brexit may create for the English football players is the requirement of a work permit to enter and work in the UK. The players who were working with various football clubs in the UK without any Visa issues will now have to obtain work permit before entering the UK. The complex part is that there is a set criterion to have a work permit. Similar issues will be faced by non-EU players, who will apply to FA for a governing body endorsement before a work permit can be issued to them by their Home office. Considering this impact, the Premier League clubs have urged Britain's government to find out some protective measures from being impacted by Brexit. They want the UK government to provide an exemption of work visa to the footballers so that they can freely play for their respective clubs in Britain. Otherwise, it will be difficult for the football clubs in the UK to hire the players from Europe. Therefore, it is extremely necessary for Britain to preserve its 44-year relationship with EU.
3) Devaluation of Currency: Since June 2016, when Brexit was proposed, the value of British Pound is certainly decreasing against Dollar. This devaluation of the UK's currency is definitely going to affect the life of football players who are playing for the UK football clubs as they will earn less in comparison to post Brixit earnings. Moreover, it will be easy for Non the UK clubs to pick football players easily from the UK as they will have to pay less salary to those players who understand pounds. Moreover, this devaluation of the UK's currency will remain uncertain unless there are some bilateral agreements signed between the two parties, the UK and other left members of EU. Therefore, this downfall of a pound is surely going to affect the lives of footballers playing in Premier League. They may have to face financial losses and many other changes in their life. For few of them, it can also be tough to continue their career as a footballer which can be a big issue for them to resolve.
4) The tension between the FA and the Premier League: Due to Brexit, there is a sense of uncertainty surrounding the potential implications of football law. Those who are leading the football clubs in the UK are also tensed and uncertain about how they are doing to operate after Brexit. According to the record charts of Premier League, the highest percentage of goals scored by EU nationals in the Premier League is of Chelsea and it's 76 percent. That means the Blues will suffer the most post Brexit. Moreover, 74 percent of the players from Chelsea are either an EU national or they hold a second EU nationality. It will become extremely tough for Chelsea to easily operate because of Brexit. As per the football authorities in the UK, there can be restrictions on Bosman transfers
