Brexit could help more English players make it in the Premier League, says FA chairman Greg Dyke

Sam Long28 June 2016

Outgoing FA chairman Greg Dyke believes Brexit could lead to more opportunities for English players to feature regularly in the Premier League.

The country voted on Thursday to leave the European Union in a referendum thanks to a 52% to 48% majority, despite London, Scotland and Northern Ireland backing the Remain campaign.

The decision could have a substantial impact on English football, with attracting foreign players key to the Premier League's commercial and global success.

The current system requires non-EU players to have featured in a certain percentage of their national team's games but the use of a similar criteria for EU players would have seen many current Premier League players - including West Ham's Dimitri Payet - denied a work permit.

Much will depend on whether the United Kingdom abandons the freedom of movement principle and while Dyke is reluctant to see talented European players miss out on the chance to ply their trade on these shores he has suggested England's national team could benefit in the long run.

"It would be a shame if some of the great European players can't come here but I don't think that will happen," Dyke said while launching an exhibition on England's 1966 World Cup win at the National Football Museum.

"Whether the total number reduces will depend on the terms of the exit.

"My position personally has always been that the decline in the number of English players getting through the system into Premier League first team - we're down to about 30% now - is a shame.

"If it stops that it is to be welcomed. If it increases the number of English players, that is to be welcomed. But you don't want to lose the best European players coming here," he added.

The decline of the number of English players in the top tier in recent years has seen manager Roy Hodgson have a limited pool of players to choose from in regards to national selection.

The Three Lions are currently on international duty at Euro 2016 - and face Iceland in the round of 16 on Monday night - but Harry Kane is adamant he and his teammates have not let the result of the referendum distract them.

"We woke up and saw the news and a few of the lads were talking about it. But I don't think the lads are too focused on it to be honest.

"The Euros is the main thing, trying to progress and do well in that. I don't think any of us know too much about it to comment on it," said the Tottenham striker.

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