Will Brexit damage UK sport? Lords committee raises concerns

The Committee's letter follows its inquiry 'Brexit: freedom of movement in the fields of sport and culture', and raises a number of questions about key issues impacting on sportspeople and the business of sport.

The Committee looked at the position of ‘homegrown' players and free movement, including the potential end of the ‘Kolpak Rule' for UK sports.

The Committee heard conflicting evidence on this issue. The Rugby Football Union stressed the negative impact of increased administrative costs in bringing in overseas players if EU and other players no longer count as ‘homegrown', and a consequent loss of funding for grassroots sport. But the Professional Players Association stressed the increased opportunities for British footballers if the number of professionals coming to the UK from the EU reduces after Brexit.

In its letter to the Minister, the Committee asks what assessment the Government has made of the impact on sport at both the elite and grassroots level, and what impact an ‘association agreement' with the EU – which the Government currently favours – would have on UK sportspeople participating in EU teams and vice versa.

The Committee also heard evidence that sports such as horseracing rely heavily on workers from the EU. The British Horseracing Authority told the Committee that Britain's exit from the EU would “exacerbate the current staffing crises” for professions such as racing grooms and “threaten the viability” of horseracing in the UK.

 
The Royal Yachting Association expressed similar concerns for their sport, and compared yachting's dependence on EU seasonal workers to that of the agricultural sector. The Committee asks Ms Crouch whether the Government has assessed the number of EU nationals who currently work across different sports in the UK, and whether it will consider a seasonal workers scheme for the sports sector.

Commenting Lord Jay, Chairman of the House of Lords EU Home Affairs Committee, said:

“The sports industry in the UK is a huge market. Many of our leagues and teams are internationally renowned brands and make a significant contribution both to the UK's reputation overseas and to the national balance sheet. However the impact of Brexit on sport is an area that has often been overlooked in the melee of other issues raised since the UK decided to leave the EU.

“The evidence we received suggests that for many sports, the impact of Brexit could be extremely significant. Ending free movement from the EU could present both challenges and opportunities, but it is clear that we need a proper analysis and a plan for how it is managed.

“We have written to the Minister today to ask her to explain how the Government will support the sports sector when free movement ends, and how it will ensure that sport in the UK does not suffer. We look forward to receiving her response.”