Arsenal's Arsene Wenger: Brexit would pose questions for Premier League over foreign transfers
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has raised concerns about the impact that a potential Brexit could have on Premier League football.
The Arsenal boss questioned the impact that quitting the EU could have on the influx of players from other countries in the 28-member bloc to English football's top division.
Remain campaigners seized on the comments to claim that leaving would "disfigure the beautiful game in this country".
Wenger told the Guardian: "It raises many questions. Will the European players be considered as they are now? For example, if England votes for Brexit, will the French be considered like South American players [who require work permits]?
"That would completely requestion the influx of foreign players. Will England go that way? If they did, that would leave the Premier League with some questions."
West Ham chief executive Karren Brady, a Britain Stronger In Europe board member, has previously warned that exiting the EU risks leaving clubs without "emerging talents" on their books.
James McGrory, chief campaign spokesman for Stronger In, said: "Arsene Wenger has been at the forefront of bringing the best players from around Europe to play in Premier League, which has helped to make it the envy of the rest of the world.
"Our stadiums are packed every week with fans who want to watch the likes of Dimitri Payet, N'Golo Kante and Arsenal's own Hector Bellerin. As Wenger says, leaving the EU risks supporters missing out on seeing emerging talents from Europe coming to play at their clubs.
"Leading figures in football are clear - leaving the EU would disfigure the beautiful game in this country."
ArticleArsenal boss Wenger wary of Brexit impact on success of Premier LeagueArsenalPremier LeagueArsene WengerPoliticsEuropean UnionBrexit