Neil Warnock doubles down on pro-Brexit outburst despite Cardiff City statement

The 70-year-old coach unleashed a somewhat bizarre tirade about leaving the EU after being asked about his frustrations in signing players during the January transfer window

Neil Warnock has said that he is standing by his pro-Brexit outburst, despite Cardiff City attempting to distance the club from his remarks.

The 70-year-old coach unleashed a somewhat bizarre tirade about leaving the EU after being asked about his frustrations in signing players during the January transfer window.

“I can’t wait to get out [of the EU],” he said, adding: “To hell with the rest of the world.”

Cardiff subsequently issued a statement, confirming that Warnock’s remarks “do not reflect the political position” of the club.

In an interview with The Times, Warnock said he could understand why Cardiff issued a statement but that he stood by his virulently anti-EU believes.

“I don’t mind at all if the club want to make sure it’s clear that it is my own personal opinion and not the club’s policy,” he said.

“If they feel they want to put out a statement saying that, then that’s fine by me, and I stand by what I have said too.”

Warnock's comments were inevitably going to raise eyebrows at Cardiff, both at boardroom level and in the dressing room.

Cardiff are owned by Malaysian businessman Vincent Tan and chief executive Ken Choo is also from that country, while chairman Mehmet Dalman was born in Cyprus.

Warnock also has a cosmopolitan dressing room with Canada, Denmark, Gabon, Iceland, the Ivory Coast, the Philippines, the Republic of Ireland and Spain represented in his squad, as well as players drawn from the home nations.