Cardiff distance themselves from Warnock's pro-Brexit views

London (AFP) – Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock’s forthright pro-Brexit views are not shared by the board of the Premier League strugglers the club stated on Monday.

The 70-year-old Englishman said he couldn’t “wait to get out of it (EU)” when asked whether buying players from abroad would be affected by Britain leaving the EU as is planned on March 29. 

“They had a referendum (in 2016 with Leave prevailing with 51.9%) and now we see different politicians and everyone else trying to put their foot in it,” said Warnock in his press conference following the 0-0 draw with fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town.

“Why did we have a referendum in the first bloody place?

“I can’t wait to get out of it, if I’m honest. I think we’ll be far better out of the bloody thing.”

Warnock — renowned for his combative nature — rounded off his outburst by declaring “To hell with the rest of the world.” 

Cardiff — which is owned by Malaysian businessman Vincent Tan — issued a statement distancing itself from Warnock’s views. 

“Comments made by our manager following Saturday’s fixture are representative of his personal political stance,” read the statement.

“These comments do not reflect the political position of Cardiff City Football Club, nor its Board of Directors.”

Cardiff’s statement comes on the eve of British Prime Minister Theresa May facing a crucial parliamentary vote on her Brexit deal.

May signed the divorce deal with other EU leaders in November after 18 months of tough negotiations, but it has faced huge opposition in Britain.

Wales as a whole voted to leave the EU although Cardiff as a city voted 60% Remain.