On Thursday. Britain faces it’s most important decision in decades: the EU referendum. Stay, or Leave.
This is not only a big decision for the country and the future of its people. but for the Premier League as well.
If Britain votes Leave, then over a third of its non-British EU players could be forced to leave as they would not automatically qualify for a work permit to play professionally or using a voucher.
Under current rules, players with an EU passport are free to play in the UK while those without must meet strict Home Office criteria to get a work visa, which is as follows, via the Guardian.
- footballers for national associations ranked between 1 and 10 of the FIFA Aggregated World Rankings to have played at least 30% of competitive international matches in the 24 months (or 12 months for players under 21) before the transfer;
- footballers for national associations ranked 11-20 of the FIFA Aggregated World Rankings to have played at least 45% of games;
- footballers for national Associations ranked 21-30 to have played at least 60%;
- and footballers for national associations ranked 31-50 to have played at least 75%.
For this reason, the Premier League’s executive chairman, Richard Scudamore, along with the leading men at all 20 Premier League clubs have stated they will be voting to Remain in the EU in Thursday’s referendum, says the Telegraph.
Should Britain vote Leave on Thursday, up to seven first-team Sunderland players would not be automatically eligible for a UK working visa and could be forced to leave the club.
Here’s who could be affected.
