ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The impact Brexit could have on non-European players

BY Stephen Brunsdon  ·  Thursday Mar 14, 2019

With just a few weeks left until the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, the political situation in the country may also have an impact on the rugby world, particularly when it comes to player contracts and the allocation of foreign players within UK clubs.

ADVERTISEMENT

Currently, South African players – as well as Fijian, Samoan and Tongan – are able to sign for European clubs and have the same rights to work and move around Europe thanks to the Kolpak ruling, which was handed out in 2003 after a Slovak Handball player, Maroš Kolpak, appealed against being released from his contract after he was deemed to breach a non-European Union player quota while injured.

Supersport’s The Final Whistle discussed the potential ramifications for South Africans specifically, who have a large portion of players in the English Premiership, namely at Saracens and Gloucester. A lot of them may be left in the lurch ahead of the final decision on Brexit at the end of the month.

Non-European player quotas may be imposed, which would limit the amount of foreign players at any given club, increasing the competition for places in squads.

Of course, there may also be a silver lining, as it could allow for more players to ply their trade back home in South Africa, for similar salaries to that of England and France.

It’s no secret that players are attracted by big-name clubs with a healthy budget to boot, but they may now be forced to head to Japan or find some sort of refuge in the Top 14.

ADVERTISEMENT

Upon further inspection, the potential impact for Gallagher Premierships club could be far greater in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Although the RFU has come out to say that any changes to their “Foreign Player” definition will not take place until the end of the 2018-19 season, the transfer window, which typically opens earlier in a World Cup year, may be negatively affected against the English clubs.

A no-deal Brexit is likely to weaken the strength of the Pound Sterling, therefore affecting salaries for players as well as available budgets for clubs. Alongside any potential changes in the allocation of foreign players policy could mean that the power of English clubs is severely diminished.

And add to that, the distinctly grey area of European Professional Club Rugby membership for UK squads. As stated in a recent article on RugbyPass: a no-deal Brexit could mean that players from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland playing in Europe may be classed as “third parties”.

“Interestingly, O’Connor points out that if the UK leaves the EU with no deal, they become a third party. English, Scottish and Welsh players would no longer be classed as ‘European’ by EPCR’s presumed definition in their public rules, and they are not Kolpak players, either. They would, logically, become ‘non-European players’, of which you are only allowed two in matchday 23s.”

ADVERTISEMENT

It remains to be seen how the muddy affair of Brexit will turn out, but there has been at least some good news in that the MPs rejected the UK leaving the EU without a deal by 321 to 278 votes.

The fall-out may take up until the critical date of the 29th March for the fate to be finally decided. And the world of rugby awaits nervously.

Related Articles

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Bielle-Biarrey & Penaud stunning long-range...

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Springbok star leaves Ulster Rugby following...

  • 63 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Gray to exit Exeter Chiefs with immediate...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 15 WEEKS AGO

    The Gallagher Premiership is back - A thrilling match at Tottenham

  • 19 WEEKS AGO

    Sensational score at the Stadio Olympico

  • 25 WEEKS AGO

    Flying frenchman scores tremendous try for Toulon

  • 25 WEEKS AGO

    Young England hopeful continues to impress with double against Stade Français

  • 26 WEEKS AGO

    Full throttle Premiership final rematch ends in heartache

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 32 WEEKS AGO

    Wallabies wunderkind Sua'ali' and Scotland captain Tuipulotu clash

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 35 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 23 WEEKS AGO

    SHOCK results in the PWR keeps top four race thrilling

  • 26 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 27 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Kildunne finishes off STUNNING team try

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    Supporters can't believe Saracens Sharp's UNBELIEVABLE finish

View All

Funnies

  • 20 WEEKS AGO

    'A few nuts and bolts out' - Eden Park streaker sheds boxers to achieve goal

  • 26 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 28 WEEKS AGO

    'A dog with a mallet up its arse could’ve written Johnny’s book' Donnacha O'Callaghan

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    U.S. Army Special Operations Sergeant Major makes big claim about rugby

View All

Amateur

  • 26 WEEKS AGO

    Nightmare blunder from Exeter winger as try goes wanting

  • 26 WEEKS AGO

    Santiago Carreras scores a blinder in front of thrilled Kingsholm crowd

  • 130 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 130 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 153 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

View All

Player Features

  • 21 WEEKS AGO

    The Capuozzo try that jump-started Italy's victory

  • 28 WEEKS AGO

    RugbyDump's top five backrows in 2024

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    ‘The knee slide was too much’ - Ben Earl reflects on THAT viral moment

  • 30 WEEKS AGO

    Marcus Smith makes big call on his future

  • 33 WEEKS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

View All