RUPERT LOWE walks out of the European Parliament after waving a Union Flag in the chamber with Nigel Farage.
Former Southampton chairman Lowe last night also became a former Brexit Party MEP as the UK left the EU.
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Justin Allen with Rupert Lowe, left, and Nigel Farage at the European ParliamentCredit: Getty Images – Getty
They stand in a smoking room outside the canteen, where Farage has a last puff.
Brexit Party leader Farage gushes, “It’s over, we’re finally leaving,” while Lowe points buoyantly at the Union Flag sticking out of his jacket pocket.
But Premier League clubs are still in the dark as to what Brexit means for them.
Last night the transfer window shut — along with our EU membership.
But Lowe believes Brexit will benefit English football.
He said: “The Premier League is the best in the world and should bring in not just the top talent from Europe — but from across the globe.
“In the EU, it’s been too easy to sign European players.
“Players from further afield usually only get work permits if they’ve earned a certain number of international caps, so clubs aim more for EU talent.
“That has driven up the prices of European players, making it not a level playing field for other nationalities further afield.
“If this new government manages Brexit properly, they’ll work with the FA and our leagues to reform work-permit rules to make it easier to sign top players from across the world.”
The problem with our top kids is that they don’t have the right structure to propagate them as well as they do in countries like France. That is where our focus should be.
Rupert Lowe, former Saints chairman
If Fifa decree that British clubs can no longer sign young EU players like Manchester United and Arsenal did with Paul Pogba and Cesc Fabregas when they were 16, it means European rivals can snap that talent up without Premier League competition.
But Lowe, 62, insists it will not have an adverse effect on the quality of the league — and will only serve as a boost for young British players.
He said: “English clubs rarely get those type of key players.
“But they do have lots from this country in their academies who never get games. Yet, given a chance — as we see now with Chelsea — they can make it.”
While at Southampton, Lowe put the focus on developing homegrown talent — with Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Nathan Dyer, Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers all coming through on his watch.
Lowe added: “Our kids are the best raw material.
“I recruited a French youth coach called George Prost and he told me English players are unique because they have the heart of a lion and don’t give up.
“The problem with our top kids is that they don’t have the right structure to propagate them as well as they do in countries like France. That is where our focus should be.”
Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came through Southampton’s academyCredit: PA:Empics Sport
As did Wales and Real Madrid star Gareth BaleCredit: EPA
Lowe rejects the view English football has been boosted by the huge influx of European players, raising standards.
He said: “Foreign imports have harmed English football.
“Many of them don’t care for or get the culture.
“TV revenue is so massive, clubs feel they can’t take a risk with youngsters — so they go and buy the finished product.
“We have a ‘buy success’ culture and that is the problem.
“Look at West Ham. How much have they spent on foreign imports? You can splash on transfers and end up with bad apples, egotistical players who are not committed and don’t understand the culture of the club.
“Paul Pogba is a great example. Do you think he’s committed to Manchester United? What is he being paid and how often has he played this year? It’s a disgrace.”
Rupert Lowe outlined his vision for how Brexit will affect the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
However, Lowe is against FA plans to increase the number of home-grown players needed in a 25-man squad from eight to 12 — as he wants quotas scrapped completely.
He said: “I’m a free marketeer, so people who run their clubs should be able to make their own decisions.
“As soon as you get any kind of interference people find a way of breaking the rules, whether it’s quotas or financial fair play.
“I hope the FA and leagues don’t become central planners like the European Union.
“I hope they’re there to run the leagues and the game and not tell the clubs how to run their businesses.”
When Lowe took over as Saints chairman in 1996, foreign ownership of Premier League clubs was only in its infancy.
Today, seven Premier League clubs are majority British-owned.
But Lowe has no problem with that — as it fits in with his ‘Global Britain’ viewpoint.
He said: “Free marketeers — which Britain should champion now we’ve left the EU — cannot complain about who runs clubs.
“The key questions should be: Are they running the club properly and investing? If they are, then one cannot object.
“Owners are just custodians and should ensure that there is something there for the next generation of fans.
“You shouldn’t spend money in the hope of glory immediately — Leeds are the perfect example.
“It’s taken them a hell of a long time to recover.
“The Premier League is an international league and there should be no barriers to stop foreign people investing.
“Brexit is going to be great. Far from weakening our top division, it’s going to make it stronger.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
