'You Can't Just Pull Out': England's Premier League Boss Against Brexit

One of the most senior figures in British football, the Premier League Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore, has pledged his support for the UK to remain in the EU.

Premier League's boss Scudamore said Britain risked losing respect across the globe if it left the EU.

Chair of the @PremierLeague Richard Scudamore has said all 20 teams — including the #SouthEast's @SouthamptonFC believe we are #StrongerIn

— SouthEast StrongerIn (@SE_StrongerIn) June 20, 2016​

Scudamore criticized the idea that a break from Brussels should be pursued purely to reclaim British sovereignty.

"That doesn't seem to sit very well when you travel the world like we do, being welcomed because of the fact that we are open for business, open for discussion, and open for cooperation. There is openness about the Premier League. I think it would be completely incongruous if we were to take the opposite position," Scudamore said.

As well as running counter to the ethos of the Premier League, the football chief said Britain risked losing respect across the globe if it left the EU.

Brexit would put Premier League clubs at a disadvantage compared to EU/EEA clubs.

More: https://t.co/KC8a6M8wPC pic.twitter.com/87MJtEXT2E

— Jake Cohen (@JakeFCohen) 20 June 2016

"We would just be, I think, respected less around the world for not wanting to be part of something. Nobody bears the scars more than me of having to go and negotiate in Brussels and try and organize things a little bit in our interests in terms of the European machine," Scudamore said.

Scudamore: “[We'd] rather be in there arguing with the European Commission than out and having things impact on us with no voice”

— Premier League (@PLSpokesman) June 20, 2016​

"Ultimately you can't break away, you can't just pull out, you have to get in and negotiate, and try and organize and try and influence."

The Vote Leave campaign however hit back at the comments made by Britain's football chief:

"When the UK votes to leave the EU, we will take back control of our migration policy from the EU. We will be able to decide the conditions under which footballers will be able to work in the UK. In addition the UK will be able to select the best and the brightest without discriminating on the grounds of nationality against non-EU citizens as at present," Vote Leave told Sputnik.