FIFA push on with quota plan
30 May 2008 - 08:47:11
FIFA has voted in favour of the 'six-plus-five rule' which would see a limit placed on the number of foreign players permitted in each team.
The president of the world governing body, Sepp Blatter, has revealed he hopes the controversial rule will be in place by the start of the 2012/13 season.
The rule would see club sides being limited to fielding only five foreign players in their starting XIs.
Speaking earlier in the week at FIFA's annual congress in Australia, Blatter cited the example of the Premier League's dominance of this season's Champions League as a reason to take action.
The Swiss official has been openly critical of the number of foreign players currently plying their trade in England.
"At the end of the Champions League in Europe you have in the quarter-finals four teams of the same association, in the semi-finals three of these teams," he said.
"Then in the final you are surprised that you have two teams of the same association?
"We want to bring some remedies and this is the six-plus-five rule's objective."
However, the 'six-plus-five rule' is likely to face stiff competition from European lawmakers.
Europe's commissioner for equal opportunities, Vladimir Spidla, has already suggested the European Union will give the rule "the red card".
Meanwhile, FA chief executive Brian Barwick has questioned the need to introduce such a measure.
"It's about balance," he said. "We still believe in the meritocracy of players in the team on performance and on ability first and foremost."