Premier League says Brexit will not harm its appeal

Britain’s decision to leave the European Union will not harm the prestige of the world’s most popular domestic soccer competition, the Premier League said on Friday. Last season 432 European players were registered to play in the 20-team Premier League -- with some of the continent’s biggest names plying their trade with England’s leading clubs. Although there will no immediate implications for EU-based players already in the Premier League, long-term it could potentially be harder for English clubs to sign new players. However, a spokesman said it was too early to make predictions over what effect Brexit will have. “The Premier League is a hugely successful sporting competition that has strong domestic and global appeal,” the spokesman said. This will continue to be the case regardless of the referendum result, he added. “Given the uncertain nature of what the political and regulatory landscape might be following the ‘Leave’ vote, there is little point second guessing the implications until there is greater clarity,” the spokesman said. “Clearly, we will continue to work with Government and other bodies whatever the outcome of any process.” Currently players from outside the EU have to meet certain requirements before being granted work permits such as having played 30 percent of their previous club’s games in the two years prior to moving. A recent BBC study found that more than 100 Premier League players from countries in the EU would fail to meet the criteria applied to those from outside of Europe.

England to focus on spot-kicks: Rooney  

England star Wayne Rooney on Friday revealed that the team is intensifying penalty practice ahead of their knockout clash against Iceland. The Manchester United forward said he is honing his own technique by trying to beat the goalkeeper Joe Hart after telling him where he is putting it in training. Monday’s last-16 clash with Iceland is the Three Lions’ first knockout match at a major tournament since Euro 2012, when they lost to Italy on penalties in the quarter-finals — their sixth defeat in seven penalty shoot-outs. “I think now we are in the knockout stages, I’m sure we will practice a lot more (penalties) as a group rather than players going up individually,” said Rooney.  

‘Cards for keepers moving forward at penalties’ 

Goalkeepers who move forward off their line when a penalty is taken must be given yellow cards and spot-kicks retaken even during a shootout, UEFA’s chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina said on Friday. Collina, a former World Cup final referee, said the standard of officiating at Euro 2016 had been excellent with referees benefiting from a new pre-match analysis of team tactics and players that gives them extra insight. He acknowledged, however, that there had been at least one big mistake in the group stages during the Croatia v Spain match when Croatia keeper Danijel Subasic saved a penalty after advancing well off his line to stop the shot. “The keeper moved forward. It was not spotted by the referee’s team. It was a mistake. Unfortunately it happens, but it was a mistake within a match that was refereed well,” Collina said.  

Messi rips into football body after flight delay   

Argentina captain Lionel Messi blasted the country’s football association, calling it a “disaster” after the national team’s flight from Houston to New Jersey was delayed. After the team’s flight from Houston to New Jersey was grounded on Thursday, Messi took to Instagram to voice his disgust with the Argentine Football Federation (AFA). “Once again waiting on a plane to leave for our destination. What a disaster the AFA are. My God!”, Messi wrote. After seeing the social media post, the AFA explained the situation, citing weather issues for the delayed departure. “AFA informs that the flight which is transporting the national team to New Jersey suffered a delayed departure due to weather issues,” said the federation. Messi is aiming at bagging his first major trophy for his national side after failing in the 2014 World Cup final against Germany, followed by 2015 Copa America final against Chile. Argentina are yet to capture a major title after their Copa America triumph in 1993. — Agencies