Leaving the EU will render the Kolpak agreement void meaning future imports from such countries will count as foreign players. Again arguments can be put forward that this will encourage the development of homegrown players, but Christian Abt, a director at the Essentially sports management group, believes that the presence of more than 70 Kolpak players has enhanced the Premiership.
“The Premiership will suffer as a result because it has such a cosmopolitan flavour to it which makes it such attractive to viewers and sponsors,” Abt said. “As a product the best model is having international players playing alongside local and homegrown players.”
Polo may be affected with many Argentine players with European grandparents currently being able to play in the English season, from May to September, through the Bosman Ruling. “I don’t think it will make any difference to the very top players, who are internationally recognised and are needed here to improve the sport in high-goal teams in the main tournaments. But it may affect lower handicap players – 2 or 3 goal players – from overseas using the same Ruling of European grandparents who are probably going to find it more difficult to come here,” David Woodd, CEO of the Hurlingham Polo Association told The Daily Telegraph.
And what of London’s status as the sporting capital of Europe, if not the world? It is the go-to destination for major sporting championships and for American sports looking to expand their audience. Although the NFL declined to comment, Patsalos believes Brexit will endanger the current London international series of games. “The way the NFL view it is that London is a gateway to Europe,” Patsalos said. “My view is that (because) we pull out of Europe then they will reconsider that deal.”
Four players who would not qualify under the FA’s criteria for non-EU players
Cristiano Ronaldo
Signed alongside Eric Djemba-Djemba, David Bellion and Kleberson in the summer of 2003, Ronaldo had only just made his debut for Portugal as an 18-year-old.
Thierry Henry
Although Henry had broken through into the French national team by the time he joined Arsenal from Juventus in 1999, he had not played enough games to have qualified for a work permit.
David Ginola
Again his sporadic appearances for France would have precluded another dose of Gallic flair entering the Premier League.
Dimitri Payet
The latest example of the Premier League’s ability to create stars having been transformed from a bit-part player into France’s leading player at the European Championships.