I was brought up in exile.
My dad got out of South Africa in 1961 (just after Sharpeville) and I was subsequently raised in an environment full of politics.
My old man gave me an understanding of the world based on his communist principles something I am very grateful for, as I still retain some of those fundamentals, which I believe has given me a solid grounding.
However, despite fighting the fascists on the streets of London in my youth, I have become a bit of a defeatist in my mature years, sitting back and watching as the West/Capitalism has swept the globe.
The last bastions of hope being taken down (regime change) one by one.
On Friday morning I woke up early to catch the UK election results and as predicted, Boris Johnson’s Conservatives swept to a solid majority.
We live in a world of closet right-wingers.
With all the k@k “everyone” was talking about the blond ponce, at the end of the day, they voted for him, his Tory Party and Brexit!
Why am I talking about this? Well, of course with the withdrawal from the European Union (EU) a certainty now, what will it mean for English football?
OK, there are many important ramifications, but we’re chatting about the game here.
It’s not at all clear what it will all mean, will it be a “hard” or “soft” exit? The harder it is the more it will impact.
As far as the Premier League is concerned, the chief matter of concern is how immigration will be dealt with after Brexit is finalised, with the free movement of people being a crucial aspect of the modern game in Europe.
For Premier League clubs, particularly those at the top end, dealing in the transfer market is a key consideration in the pursuit of success, but any restrictions on the free movement of people arising from Brexit would inevitably create problems.
After Brexit, it is possible that footballers from EU countries may be treated in the same way as non-EU footballers currently are.
AFFECT: Top clubs are likely to lose their EU managers. Picture: Andrew Yates/Reuters.
That means they will have to satisfy certain criteria or receive an exemption in order obtain a work permit, which would then allow them to work in the UK as employees of a football club. This will affect the signing of coaches as well.
Leaving the EU will also mean that clubs in the UK will find it much more difficult to recruit European players under the age of 18 for their academies.
Fifa’s regulations on the protection of minors allow for the international transfer of footballers between the ages of 16 and 18 if they are moving between clubs that are both based in the territory of the EU.
Back in November 2018, a report in the (UK’s) Times revealed that the Football Association has put forward proposals to limit the number of overseas players in Premier League squads to 12, which would be a reduction of five.
Such a measure would inevitably affect the division’s clubs, particularly those at the top end.
I’m sure this is one of the reasons Chelsea are pushing ‘home-grown’ youngsters and are (according to reports) putting bids in for English players.
In the meantime, Liverpool are romping their way to their first Premier League title and there ain’t no stopping them!
City play Leicester on Saturday which will mean further points dropped by at least one of the chasing two.
However, Leicester play Liverpool on Boxing Day, which could prove to be the final chance to slip up the Scousers!
Looks like the fourth-place spot will be the biggest battle.
Chelsea slipping again, Spurs grabbing another three points and United limping in with a draw. It’s all tightening up.
I just feel sorry for all my Gooner mates right now (naaah, not really).
I can’t remember a more one-sided defeat at the Emirates as I witnessed on Sunday. It was shocking.
Poor old Freddie, he needs to vacate that seat as soon as possible