Labour MP issues Brexit warning for Premier League fans after meeting Football Manager chief


LABOUR MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan has warned Premier League fans of the issues Brexit could could cause.

The politician met Sports Interactive director Miles Jacobson, who is responsible for the hugely popular Football Manager series.

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan was impressed with the attention to detail Sports Interactive paid when simulating Brexit in the latest Football Manager game
Twitter, @DrRosena

After their chat, Dr Allin-Khan tweeted: “Great to meet with and the team, a thriving UK tech business.

“They’ve done some really impressive analysis of what Brexit could mean for football in the UK – the results aren’t so impressive.”

In the last two editions of the game, different possible scenarios for Britain leaving the EU have been included.

They range in severity, and any player who has landed the ‘Hard Brexit’ option will tell you it can be a nightmare.

Jeremy Corbyn gives EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier an Arsenal jersey
Reuters
A ‘Hard Brexit’ sees managers scrambling to beat stiff work permit rules
Sega, Football Manager

Football Manager’s database is so comprehensive, it is used by professional clubs to scout players.

And their number crunchers have paid equal attention to potential Brexit outcomes, making it a fascinating addition to the game.


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Virtual managers are informed of Brexit negotiations and then the outcomes of the talks.

They then must adapt accordingly to maintain their success.

In the ‘Soft Brexit’ scenario, free-movement within the EU remains and there is little affect.

Another option sees footballers are classed as entertainers – making it easier for them to obtain work permits.

The Premier League would be a lot different without EU players
Times Newspapers Ltd

But in the harshest option for bosses, strict rules come in which make signing talent from EU countries like Spain, France and Germany extremely difficult.

Before the release of FM2017, Jacobson said: “We usually try and keep politics out of the game because nobody wants it rammed down their throat.

“But we were left with an interesting situation this year when the people of Britain voted to leave the EU and it wouldn’t have felt right to leave that out.

“It’s something we had to reflect in the game.”


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