FIFA step up plan to restrict foreign players

FIFA president Sepp Blatter is keen to press on with plans to restrict the number of foreign players in domestic leagues.

Blatter's plan has been unanimously agreed by FIFA's executive committee.

He intends to take his 6+5 proposal forward after getting the backing of the European confederation.

Blatter said on Tuesday that during two days of meetings in Sydney, FIFA's executive board had unanimously agreed on a resolution to take to Friday's Congress, "exploring" the implementation of the restrictive quota proposals.

"This will be more than just further talks and investigations," the FIFA president told a news conference.

A FIFA spokesman said the objectives of Blatter's 6+5 plan had been agreed unanimously by the FIFA executive committee, including UEFA president Michael Platini.

Blatter said he would be asking the congress, featuring representatives of FIFA's 208 member federations, to give the FIFA president a mandate to impose the same rules outside of Europe if required.

The plan aims to force soccer clubs by 2012 to start a match with at least six homegrown players, and limit the number of foreigners to five.

Blatter even wants other international sports federations to join the cause.

"The Congress shall request the FIFA and UEFA presidents together with the world of sport -- including the IOC -- to explore all possible means within the limits of law to implement this rule," he said.

The proposal targets some of Europe's biggest clubs and aims to restore "national identity" to the teams while reducing the drain of players from other continents.

Limits on the number of EU players in European leagues were successfully challenged under the 1995 Bosman ruling. But Blatter said having at least six players who are eligible to play for a country's national team would motivate young athletes.

The proposal faces opposition from clubs with large numbers of foreign-born players and those who want free-market rules to apply to soccer.

But Blatter said he would meet with the president of the European parliament, Hans-Gert Poettering, on June 5 in Brussels to further lobby for support.

He is proposing the stepped introduction of a 4+7 system in 2010, increasing to 5+6 in 2011 and 6+5 in 2012.

(taken from : here)