Supreme Court Rule Parliament Must Vote on Brexit

The Supreme Court has ruled that parliament must vote to trigger Britain leaving the European Union.

In the June 2016 referendum, the British population voted 52% to 48% in favour of a British exit from the European Union. However, the new ruling has decreed that Article 50 – the formal process for announcing an intention to leave the European Union – cannot be triggered without the approval of Parliament.

The Supreme Court ruled by a majority of eight to three to reject the Government’s proposal to trigger Article 50 without consulting Parliament.

The ruling may hold up the British process for leaving the European Union, with the Government previously having pledged to have triggered Article 50 by March.

Brexit could have substantial impact on British sport. Players from the European Union would have to receive a work permit to play Premier League football, which are only awarded after the passing of strict criteria. Other factors would include the transfer of underage players potentially being ended, and quotas for amount of non-British players in matchday squads could theoretically be introduced.