Video
Brexit secretary rinsed for clueless tweet about football and immigration
Brexit secretary Steve Barclay has tweeted about football and immigration. Picture: Steve Barclay - Credit: Steve Barclay
The Brexit secretary has tweeted a video about the Conservatives' immigration policy explained via an extended footballing metaphor that manages to be wildly inaccurate on both immigration and football.
Setting a relaxed tone in a russet pullover, Steve Barclay started his video with a friendly jab at high-profile Remainer Gary Lineker.
"People don't always put football and our new Brexit deal together, unless it's Gary Lineker going on about Remain again," he said, by way of a joke.
He continued: "But one of the things about taking control of our immigration is we can decide, do we want more English qualified players in the Premier League, which is something the FA are keen to see. Or do we want to have more talented players from Brazil, Africa, Argentina and elsewhere in the world, as the Premier League are keen to see."
As people were quick to point out, the UK currently chooses not to use the immigration control measures allowed as part of EU membership, and has full control over non-EU immigration policy.
You may also want to watch:
Barclay continued: "So we'll actually have much more say as to where we recruit players from.
"Do it on talent, rather than it being because they're in Europe as opposed to the rest of the world, and as a result, we can look at having more English qualified players for the England team, but also look at the best players from Brazil, Argentina, Africa and elsewhere and ensure we're getting the best players into the Premier League."
Most Read
- 1 The stench of scandal seeping out from Britain
- 2 Why is devout Jacob Rees-Mogg so quiet about Boris Johnson's affairs?
- 3 Major and Blair were right about Brexit and Northern Ireland
- 4 Dominic Cummings' new venture could cause concern for No 10
- 5 Roman Kemp: Depression and coping with George Michael's death
- 6 The symbolism behind the reopening of pubs
- 7 Why are there so few BAME faces on the fronts of our newspapers?
- 8 Government deletes pro-Scottish independence blog post
- 9 David Cameron and Matt Hancock discussed NHS scheme over 'private drink'
- 10 PM chooses not to attend Prince Philip’s funeral because of guest limits
Informed people were also quick to point out that the Cotonou Agreement between the EU and a group of African, Caribbean and Pacific states has removed earlier restrictions on the number of players from most countries in those regions in UK teams under EU laws.
Football journalist Layth Yousif tweeted that Barclay was talking "utter nonsense", adding: "UK immigration law restricts footballers joining from non-EU countries. Nothing to do with Brexit or EU laws.
"Seeing as you're a Tory why don't you stick to what you know: Such as closing hospitals and blaming the working class for being burned alive."
EU law professor Steve Peers said: "Divisive, misleading nonsense from the Brexit Secretary. EU law does not affect the number of non-EU players in football clubs in the UK."
Twitter user @mrsbiltawulf said: "I've watched this three times now. I have to conclude that Steve Barclay is still a fucking idiot."
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.