Globalization Under Attack, on the Soccer Field
Binyamin Applebaum's article in the New York Times The Upshot section discusses how the English Premier League has continuously become more and more globalized. The article begins discussing how a 21 year old Englishman by the name of Harry Kane has taken the Premier League by storm this year leading his team in goals and having a great opening performance for the English National team. This would not be such a big deal if the percentage of English players occupying spots in the league. Out of the 500 players on first team squads in the Premier League, only 37% of the players compared to the Spanish league where Spanish players made up 61% and in Germany where Germans made up 59%.This is a massive drop compared to 20 years ago when the Premier League was made up of 69% Englishmen. This has caused Greg Dyke, the chairman of England's soccer governing organization to ask the government to place restrictions on foreigners getting work visas to play in the Premier League. Even though non-English players have allowed the Premier League to become the world's largest league in the largest sport the globalization may have potentially harmed the countries individual success on the field.
I find it interesting that something as sports can have an impact on how a country begins to make immigration policies. While Parliament and no political figures in England have stepped up and agreed with Mr. Dyke's request if there is any sport that would make it happen it would be soccer. Soccer is the largest sport in the world with no close second. Every year, soccer generate millions and millions of dollars of revenue for countries through tourism and the jobs it creates and if a country feels that it needs to make a move to stop globalization to continue to profit I can definitely see it happening. If a country is willing to slow down immigration for soccer then it can expand the idea because of job loss in other industries. While I don't necessarily agree with the idea of a country closing its borders because of a sport the fear it can cause in other industries can cause a country to impede the process of globalization.
The difference between the percentage of English players in the EPL relative to Spanish and Germans in La Liga and the Bundesliga is strictly monetary, and is actually inversely proportional to amount of money the player are paid. EPL players average salary in 42% higher than any other league, so it is likely the best players from around the world have financial incentives to play in the EPL. Mr. Dyke should not be lobbying British parliament to reduce the number of work visas, he should be lobbying the EPL to install a salary cap. Then the player will emigrate on their own.
ReplyDeleteNoah I agree with your point and even in addition to that the Premier League as far as advertising and visibility worldwide can be seen as the top league which definitely adds to players wanting to play in the EPL. Regardless, I do not think that foreign policy should be based on a sports league because the two are entirely different entities.
DeleteThis is based largely on a desire for England to win a second world cup. However, it may also weaken the league to take many of the non-EU (as opposed to foreign, any EU player is welcome to come) players out of the league. This mean less competition for spots, lower levels of quality for the league, and less of a chance that English clubs with their top players make it far in European competition.
ReplyDeleteMany non-EU players are from places where even drastically reduced salaries would be very attractive and they come young enough that top salaries are not on offer. So it is really hurting young boys from Nigeria, Colombia, and other such places.
I'm not understanding what the real issue is. In sports, I believe that it should be about who the best players are, be in foreign or not. Perhaps the focus should be on making sure that more scouts are sent out within England so that they do not miss the opportunity to have great players within their own country. As for pulling immigration into things, I believe that that is quite drastic. I personally would rather have my country win then to worry about whether or not it is full of natives.
ReplyDeleteI think that this article really highlights the prevalence of globalization in sports. Considering that more states belong to FIFA than any other international organization, I think that soccer has the potential to break down borders and create international alliances.
ReplyDeleteCalling into question immigration restrictions and soccer, this definitely highlights the aspects of globalization. But I do believe the best way is to address it through immigration restrictions. If league members wanted more English men to play in their league they could choose to have a certain percentage. I agree with Grace, scouts should be sent within their own country to make sure they are not missing out on any opportunities for great native players.
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