What ‘Brexit’ means for European football leagues

With Britain's exit from the European Union, football leagues across Europe are set to be affected. We explain how.

Spanish League currently allows only three players with non-European quota to be registered with each squad. (Source: File)

English Premier League

EPL doesn’t have any quota limiting EU players in the squads. Prior to Brexit it was easy for EU players to move freely within the Union and sign with any club of their choice. But now getting work permit will be a major roadblock for players from Europe. The English FA rule for a non-EU player states that he must have played 75% matches for his country at the highest level (read World Cup and continental championships) in two years leading to his application for a work permit. Now it remains to be seen whether the same rule will apply to EU players after the breakup.

Given that rule, players like N’Golo Kante, Dimitri Payet and Anthony Martial wouldn’t have made it to the EPL.

Story continues below this ad

One of the reasons the EPL is the most watched league in the world is its ability to tap the pool of talent in EU countries.

La Liga

Spanish League currently allows only three players with non-European quota to be registered with each squad.

Before Brexit, Real Madrid had three non-EU players in Danilo, Casemiro and James Rodriguez. But now the addition of Welshman Gareth Bale to that list would exceed their quota. They might have to sell one of the players or can request for an exemption from the authorities.

On other side there are a number of Spanish nationals plying their trade with English clubs. The breakup will have a direct impact on their future and on the future trade between Spanish and British clubs. Players like Fabregas, who was lured to Arsenal from Barcelona academy as a teenager, may not be able to make such a move as those below 18 will find it harder to switch allegiance to a club outside of EU.

Seria A

Story continues below this ad

Italian League allows its sides to sign 2 non-EU players every year and it can sign players till the limit of three is not crossed. Brexit would mean that players from Britain will come under non-EU quota. Brexit would also effect the trade between Italian and English leagues as it would become difficult for Italian players.

Bundesliga

Bundesliga doesn’t have a non-EU quota but Bundesliga and EPL do a lot of trade every year and Brexit would directly effect the way German teams operate. A big chunk of money was spent last summer by Premier league clubs on German nationals and Brexit would stop the flow of money into German football.

The finer points

Free movement of European players and their participation in English football will be restricted.

There will be an increase in cost of transfers (West Ham’s €40m offer to buy Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi was worth £31m on Thursday but now already equates to more than £34m)

Story continues below this ad

The rules might apply to cricket and rugby union players from South Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific Islands who enjoyed rights same as EU players under the Cotonou Agreement and Kolpak Ruling.