Fifa vote for 'six-plus-five'

[RedForceRising]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3627664,00.html


Blatter wants controversial system in place by 2012


Fifa have voted in favour of the 'six-plus-five' rule which would place restrictions on foreign players.

The president of football's world governing body, Sepp Blatter, hopes to see the initiative implemented by the 2012/13 season.

The ruling would limit the number of overseas players any one team can field in their starting XI to just five.

Fifa have grown increasingly concerned by the number of foreign stars infiltrating Europe's top leagues, with the English Premier League sounded out as the most obvious example.

Despite fears from the European Union that the introduction of the rule would contravene freedom of movement regulations, Blatter insists that Fifa would proceed "within the limits of the law".


Balance

"It's to make sure that there is better balance in the competitions and not only three or four teams in a league of 18 or 20 are fighting to be the champion and all the others are just there to not be relegated," said Blatter.


"As (Newcastle manager) Kevin Keegan recently said: 'I can only start my season to fight to be fifth or sixth or seventh. It is impossible for me to go into the final four'.

"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.

"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."



Incompatible

While Fifa are keen to push on with the idea, Uefa are still calling for a rival 'home-grown' player system to be introduced.

Uefa defines 'home-grown players' as team members who, regardless of age or nationality, have been trained by their club or by another club in the National Association for at least three years between the ages of 15 and 21.


The EU have already given their backing to this concept as it contains no conditions based on nationality and would prefer to see Fifa back down with their controversial proposal.


"Compared with the intentions announced by FIFA to impose the so-called '6-plus-5 rule', which is directly discriminatory and therefore incompatible with the EU law, the 'home-grown players' rule proposed by UEFA seems to me to be proportionate and to comply with the principle of free movement of workers," said EU Commissioner Vladimir Spidla.

- I do not understand why FIFA are pursuing this idea when the very leagues they are targeting are governed by European Union laws, which would prohibit such dicriminiation.

Has anybody read FOUL! by Andrew Jennings? It's a good read and a ghastly view into the corruption within FIFA.

One of the problems that Jennings bemoans in the book is the lack of journalistic integrity from his colleagues, who rather report news than to uncover the truth. Jennings states in his book that Blatter is very clever at using the media in his favour and that by making controversial statements and rulings, he is actually diverting attention from FIFA's corruption scandals.

The EU has already said that UEFA's idea would comply with EU labour laws, while FIFA's would not and yet they vote on it and make a big houha about it. Disgusting.

They couldn't implement this anyway and I'm glad. I agree to a certain extent that clubs like Arsenal have gone too far by fielding an entire team of foreigners, but at the same time I want to see the best players in the world turn out for my team.

UEFA's idea seems better, but also has its cons. It basically would force clubs to act like Liverpool. Go out, get a bunch of talented youngsters under the age of 18, train them, loan them out, bring them back and hope they can be stars. But what if they don't? It would really limit the options of a team with big ambitions.

* Update: One more thing I would like to add is that this ruling would favour countries where it is easier to naturalize a foreginer.

[Lawbreaker1944]

If this really goes through, it will be interesting how e.g. Arsenal will cope with this rule.
Book me seat in 1st row :D

[Keano!]

I think that the all english final has alerted the footballing world and they want to cap the players at the club.

In theory, its a good idea but I'm not up for it. Of the top four ourselves and 'pile
would be hit nut we'd manage.

Chelski and Le Arse would be unbelievably badly hit.

Strange one , but a no from me.

[sparkic]

The FIFA idea is really bad and the Uefa idea of homegrown players is a much better one atm...they should try to find other solutions before they start voting and trying to implement it asap imo...maybe they should have a forum with the clubs where they can discuss the problem and try to come up with a solution together which everyone is happy with...maybe the reason why people are not going for local talent because they are simply not good enough?

[reddwarf]

Lol. It was 'by 2010' a couple of weeks ago. Give yourself another 10 years Mr Blatter and it will make no difference - this will never happen.

[yangch0000]

are those idiots led by sepp blatter still pursuing this?
it cannot, and will never happen

[Keano!]

Poll added.....

[ARBUCKS]

EU has already stated that they are against this rule and i dont think they will let it happen.

Arsenal will be up **** creep without with paddle if this happens LOL

[RedDeviler]

Well were best suited out of the top 4 so i say bring it on

watch arse and chelski crumble lol

[CaptainRoyKeane]

I'm sorta not to keen on this. even though we have got enough English players in the first team, i think they want this to take action in 2012/2013. Arsenal and Chelski will suffer..........Chelski £50m on Ashley Young.....hahahaha!

[Nemanjaaa]

Am i the only on thats wants it ?

Its a class idea we always have around 6 british players in our starting XI, but i think 6 is very steep maybe 5. Great to see Wengers face if this came in ;)

[versa]

the independent


Fifa's 'six-plus-five rule' would be incompatible with continental law, the European Union reiterated today.

The rule would limit the number of foreign players in each club's starting line-up to five and president Sepp Blatter hopes to have it in place by the 2012/13 season.

But EU spokesman John MacDonald stressed it would fall foul of the EU's anti-discrimination legislation and would not stand up in court.

"The 'six plus five rule' of Fifa is simply a rule that is based on grounds of nationality so that is incompatible with community law," he told Sky Sports News.

"If they were to implement the 'six plus five rule' in Europe what would happen is any professional football player who feels aggrieved by the rule would be able to take the football club concerned to court and he would probably win the case."

Fifa have said they want to "explore" the possibilities "within the limits of the law", but while the EU would welcome dialogue, MacDonald does not see a way forward for the plan.

The EU are, however, positive about a proposal from Europe's governing body Uefa that would set a quota for players trained in a particular country but not necessarily of that nationality.

"We have had valuable exchanges with Uefa in the past," MacDonald continued. "Fifa have been less forthcoming with dialogue but we welcome the desire now, that has been expressed by Fifa, to come and talk about these issues.

"In a study we did of the home-grown players' rule, we're of the opinion - on the basis of current evidence - that in fact that rule neatly side-steps the problem of direct discrimination, which is against community law, and can be considered to be compatible with community law.

"Any indirect discrimination is justified by the aims, which are to bring balance to the game through encouraging the development of young football talent."

Former England manager Steve McClaren believes legislation is the wrong way to address the problems in the domestic and international game.

McClaren oversaw England's failed bid to qualify for Euro 2008, and the diminishing number of English players in the Premier League was widely believed to have contributed to that failure.

He said: "People are trying to change (the percentage of English players) through legislation, through quotas.

"I can see that concept but the main one I'm concerned about is improving our players and improving our coaches because if you do that you've got a long-term plan.

"At present we haven't got any British coaches working abroad and that's where you get your education.

"We've imported it in, through players first and managers and coaches after that and eventually, if we're not too careful, we're going to produce a Premier League full of foreign coaches, foreign owners, then where do British coaches come through and manage?"

Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor believes Fifa's proposal is "tilting at windmills" and believes a balance must be struck between their 'six-plus-five' idea and Uefa's 'homegrown players' scheme, which has already secured politicians' backing.

Uefa defines 'home-grown players' as team members who, regardless of age or nationality, have been trained by their club or by another club in the National Association for at least three years between the ages of 15 and 21.

The Commission has approved the Uefa arrangement because, says Brussels, it contains no player conditions based on nationality.

Taylor believes that idea is more sensible and would like to see that strengthened, admitting it is currently "weak as water".

The players' union chief told PA Sport: "I just feel with the the proposal, it is tilting at windmills in the shape of the European Commission because the law will not allow it.

"That is why I feel that rather than do that as a gesture that may not succeed, there is a much more realistic chance of success in encouraging youth development if they look towards strengthening the already-accepted ruling of Uefa, which albeit is eight out of 25 in a squad as long as they have been developed by a club or country for three years between the ages of 15 and 21.

"That is too weak because it is just in a squad, but if it was then revised to be on the field of play, all clubs would be abiding by the same rules and it would be an encouragement of youth development irrespective of nationality."

Taylor added: "Whilst people say 'they will just bring over youngsters from abroad' they may well do that, but at least they would all have to prioritise youth development.

"With the 'eight out of 25', the European Commission cannot reject that, it is so obviously an encouragement of youth development.

"But it is not enough, it should be talking about a limited number on the field of play because as it stands, it is weak as water.

"It is a case of finding a balance between that, which is too diluted, and Fifa's, which has no chance because of European Commission law.

"We might as well start dealing with reality, and what is achievable."

[Andreas_svan]

never heard of any good Blatter did, i prefer Lennart Johansson that old man :)

[sweet fa]

of course it should happen the premiership is an english league and we need to get a lot more british players involved for our national teams sake.the only guys on here that are opposing this are foreign guys ,but this is britain and our own players must be produced,don't get me wrong i am all for top quality foreign players joining the league but theres thousands of mediorcre non british players throughout the english league who only come for the money,our own youngsters must be taught and given the chance before a lot of these players.

[reddwarf]

of course it should happen the premiership is an english league and we need to get a lot more british players involved for our national teams sake.the only guys on here that are opposing this are foreign guys ,but this is britain and our own players must be produced,don't get me wrong i am all for top quality foreign players joining the league but theres thousands of mediorcre non british players throughout the english league who only come for the money,our own youngsters must be taught and given the chance before a lot of these players.

I voted no because FIFA's idea is completely unworkable.

UEFA's idea about 'homegrown players' is much better but they have not given any detail on the number of homegrown players that would have to be in the squad.

[Forever_United]

a riduculous idea !

the reason we import foreign players is because they are world class, very entertaining players. people PAY to see entertainment.

IMO the reason we import is because english players simply can't cut it. (England National Team anyone ?)

and as for keegan goin on about impossible to break into the top four, it just shows his faith and belief in his own team, pathetic man. if he bought good players managed them good, recorded win after win after win. he's gona break the top 4 obviously.

i'm sick of the other 16 teams blaming there inability to win on the top 4.

[futbol]

One things for sure.... if this goes thru then the value of english players will rise dramatically ! You are right , Arsenal and Chelski will suffer ;o

[Keano!]

This idea cold actually ruin the teams outside the big 4.

The big clubs want the best players and right now the majority of them aren't
English.

Therefore, this new idea comes in and they find that they need a player for a
certain position. Take Micah Richards at Citeh. United want a solid right back and
they can't look overseas because they already have their allowed quota on the
field.

So what do they do? They look in England for English talent, find it and buy the
player leaving the club with money for players.

Now, the big club has their player and they're happy......

....however, the small club is left with 20M and they want to buy a replacement
right back, and this is where the problem occurs. They will look abroad but all
the quality players are either at too high a price, happy where they are or aren't
interested in signing for a club outside the Champions League set up....

.....So, the small club are left back looking in England where all the quality English
players are now suddenly on the move to United, Chelsea, Arsenal and 'pile,
leaving the smaller clubs with incredibly scarce sources and the inability to succeed.

Also, this would more then likely guarantee that we would never see an all
English final again as Spain and Italy would overtake England and begin to
dominate.

If this was to all happen, players like,


Andy Johnson
Ashley Young
David James
Jermain Defoe
Dean Ashton
Peter Crouch
Gareth Barry
Stewart Downing
Aaron Ramsey
Micah Richards
Aaron Lennon
David Bently



and I could go on, will all be "forced" to leave their respected clubs as the bigger
clubs would swoop in leaving an offer both club and player can't refuse.

People complain that the league is only between the top four and the rest have
no chance, well, this idea certainly isn't going to help that and to me, is going to
make the problem 10 times worse.



Bit of a mouthful, eh?






But seriously, is this a proposal which could destroy the Barclays Premier League
and the smaller clubs a good idea?


Views?

[RedForceRising]

So what do they do? They look in England for English talent, find it and buy the
player leaving the club with money for players.

Now, the big club has their player and they're happy......

....however, the small club is left with 20M and they want to buy a replacement
right back, and this is where the problem occurs. They will look abroad but all
the quality players are either at too high a price, happy where they are or aren't
interested in signing for a club outside the Champions League set up....

.....So, the small club are left back looking in England where all the quality English
players are now suddenly on the move to United, Chelsea, Arsenal and 'pile,
leaving the smaller clubs with incredibly scarce sources and the inability to succeed.

Also, this would more then likely guarantee that we would never see an all
English final again as Spain and Italy would overtake England and begin to
dominate.

If this was to all happen, players like,

.....

and I could go on, will all be "forced" to leave their respected clubs as the bigger
clubs would swoop in leaving an offer both club and player can't refuse.




But seriously, is this a proposal which could destroy the Barclays Premier League
and the smaller clubs a good idea?


Views?


- I just thought of another scenario. While I think that the all-English ifnal is the main reason behind Blatter's stupidity, I think that there might be another way the smaller clubs and English football would benefit.

The clubs like Blackburn and Everton would have to buy from the Championship.
David Moyes is an astute buyer of Championship talent and such a move would force other managers to buy local talent from the championship.

I actuallyy see this ruling benefit smaller clubs, but not the bigger clubs.

Especially bigger clubs with strict immigration laws. Countries like France, Spain and Italy have more (shal we say) flexible naturalization laws.

And an African player from one of the former French colonies could become a French natural pretty quickly. Not so in England.

This ruling will not benefit the big English clubs, but will benefit the big Spanish and Italian clubs.

[abojodeh]

no and no
i really dont like to play only 5 foreigners cuz we normally use 6
vnr vida erva carlos ander
but we can survive and win
while teams like realmadrid and arsenal cant
rm: only 3 from spain
ars: only 2 from england and none from scotland wales and ireland

[Drunia (Saint-Petersburg)]

Yes, because:

1) It makes the national team stronger as homegrown players are given more opportunities. Competition on Euro and WC would rise. For example, Russia did qualify for Euro, England did not. We have such rule for several years, you don't
2) Any club would then choose thoroughly who are they buying outside their country, choosing only the best foreigners
3) Clubs would invest more money on football schools and young talents but not on overrated overseas stars
4) That's not all ;-)

[sweet fa]

This idea cold actually ruin the teams outside the big 4.

The big clubs want the best players and right now the majority of them aren't
English.

Therefore, this new idea comes in and they find that they need a player for a
certain position. Take Micah Richards at Citeh. United want a solid right back and
they can't look overseas because they already have their allowed quota on the
field.

So what do they do? They look in England for English talent, find it and buy the
player leaving the club with money for players.

Now, the big club has their player and they're happy......

....however, the small club is left with 20M and they want to buy a replacement
right back, and this is where the problem occurs. They will look abroad but all
the quality players are either at too high a price, happy where they are or aren't
interested in signing for a club outside the Champions League set up....

.....So, the small club are left back looking in England where all the quality English
players are now suddenly on the move to United, Chelsea, Arsenal and 'pile,
leaving the smaller clubs with incredibly scarce sources and the inability to succeed.

Also, this would more then likely guarantee that we would never see an all
English final again as Spain and Italy would overtake England and begin to
dominate.

If this was to all happen, players like,


Andy Johnson
Ashley Young
David James
Jermain Defoe
Dean Ashton
Peter Crouch
Gareth Barry
Stewart Downing
Aaron Ramsey
Micah Richards
Aaron Lennon
David Bently



and I could go on, will all be "forced" to leave their respected clubs as the bigger
clubs would swoop in leaving an offer both club and player can't refuse.

People complain that the league is only between the top four and the rest have
no chance, well, this idea certainly isn't going to help that and to me, is going to
make the problem 10 times worse.



Bit of a mouthful, eh?






But seriously, is this a proposal which could destroy the Barclays Premier League
and the smaller clubs a good idea?


Views?


what a load of nonesense .its obvious the big clubs will buy the quality english players this has happened for the last 20 years or more.
but when the small clubs are left with the money instead of buying foreign players they will then progress with young british lads and our national sides would benifit greatly.
and if spain and italy have got the same rules they will fare worst than british clubs ,most big sides over there are full of south american players.
20 years ago scotland was producing excellent players but since their league has been over run by very poor quality foreigners they have hardly produced a decent player.
englands national side has also gone to pot over the last 10 years ,i believe poor non british players are a factor in this.i reckon there are at least a couple of hundred foreign players in the premeirship only about 30 are world class !thats my point.

[Fergaiste]

this is an absolutely ridiculous idea and shows how Blatter and the rest of these clowns in Fifa are out of touch with the game.united should be in the front line with arsenal against such nnosense.Not that they will have to fight much as this is against all eu employment rules about freedom of movement and non discrimination.

firstly and most importantly it will harm united. Look at 1994 when we had arguably our greatest team having to restrict the number of non English players resulting in our complete capitulation against barcelona.

secondly the premiership boasts the four strongest teams in europe and one of the most exciting leagues in europe by attracting the best players from the entire world of football. This competition should bring the cream to the top in terms of english talent as if to be the best you compete the best.its the same in any walk of life that if you don't open the market up you are reduced to perpetual mediocrity.

thirdly its not as if the national teams are any better or worse than before. England failed to qualify in 1974 ,1978,1994 and the euros of 1980 and 1984 and performed miserably in 1988 when the vast majority of players in the top division were english. England in fairness have been badly managed the last 8 years and that is the primary reason for their shortcomings at international level.

This little englander argument endorsed by Mr delusional himself Steven gerrard is silly as it is narrow minded. Maybe the fault lies with society generally for the paucity of british /irish players conming through as Kids nowadays dont possess the same hunger and more interested in nintendo and video games instead of exercising and playing the sport we know and love.

[thedude]

Just a quick question.

In the EPL, would players from Scotland, Wales and Ireland be considered "foreign"?

[Rooney_10]

never heard of any good Blatter did, i prefer Lennart Johansson that old man :)

I would prefer Boris johnson.... Blater is a moron :p

[abojodeh]

now all the big clubs which dont have english players will try to buy rooney :(

[Fergaiste]

Just a quick question.

In the EPL, would players from Scotland, Wales and Ireland be considered "foreign"?

as far as I know mate yes as when they applied a similar rule in the early 1990's yes they were considered foreign therefore in the aformentioned 1994 game against Barca both Giggs and keane were ineligible to play.this rule is mind boggling as it will prove to be illegal:mad:

[spellbound]

This is not a ideal solution for football but a step in the right way.

I would much rather see a salary cap to stop this madness where players can strike themselves out of a contract or to an improved contract.

But limiting foregin players in each league will stop the looting on young africans for example. As it is now too many children are a victim of slave trade because of their dream of making it to be a name.

[versa]

the independent
By Nick Harris, Saturday, 31 May 2008


As Fifa's president, Sepp Blatter, stayed on a collision course yesterday with the European Union over quotas in football, there were fears within the Premier League that a fudged compromise to limit foreign players might create more problems than it solves.

"At the extreme end of things, we might end up with a scenario where, actually, greater numbers of players, kids basically, are being moved between countries and trafficked among clubs to get around restrictions," a source said.

That "counter-productive" result might happen if Blatter fails in his attempt to impose a nationality-based quota on clubs – his first-choice plan – and instead adopts a quota system currently used by Uefa, not based on nationality, which it imposes, quite legally, at domestic level in all leagues.

Uefa's quota system is based on "home-reared" players, and has already been in place for Uefa tournaments since 2006.

When it started – as the so-called 2+2 rule – clubs' 25-man squads needed to include at least two players trained by that club for at least three years between the age of 15 and 21, plus two more trained within the same national association. By 2008-09, Uefa's rule for Uefa competitions will be 4+4. Crucially, however, these rules are not based on nationality. If Arsenal, for example, recruit Spanish youngsters and train them, they are "home-reared" for Uefa purposes. Cesc Fabregas counts as home-reared.

For now, Uefa's rules apply only to the Uefa Cup and Champions League, but if Blatter fails to impose his own 6+5 plan on world football – which would restrict clubs to a maximum of five foreigners, based purely and solely on nationality – his logical next step will be to take a version of Uefa's plan and impose that on all domestic leagues instead.

The Premier League and its 20 member clubs, especially the "big four" are opposed to Blatter's 6+5, believing it is illegal as well as counter-productive. It is understood they would not be so opposed to a version of Uefa's quota system. "Actually, it wouldn't make a lot of difference to us." one source said.

Another expressed concerns, however, "that it would be essentially an invitation to exacerbate a problem we already have. Any quota will force up the prices of English players, placing even more emphasis on going overseas. And if you can fill your academy with 'home-grown' foreign players within the rules, it'll only happen more frequently."

At Fifa's congress in Sydney yesterday, Blatter received huge backing – 155 votes to five – to explore further his 6+5 plan.

"It was an overwhelming majority, overwhelming support," he said. "I am sure it will be done, I am very confident about it."

In a curious sideshow, the Football Association, opposed in principle to quotas, voted with Blatter having been mandated by the FA Board to vote against. Conspiracy theorists will suggest Brian Barwick wanted to keep Blatter onside for England's 2018 World Cup bid. Pragmatists at Soho Square argue Barwick was not voting for quotas, merely a harmless exploration that probably will not lead anywhere near their implementation.

Blatter faces an uphill struggle in the face of all evidence, and multiple warnings from the European Commission that his plan contravenes EU law, yet he still seems to believe he can force a change in legislation to make it happen.

An EC spokesman could not have been clearer than when saying: "[The 6+5 rule] would be direct discrimination on the basis of nationality, which is unacceptable. It's a non-starter. Professional football players are workers, therefore the principle of non-discrimination and the right to free movement apply to them. If EU member states allowed the application of the 6+5 rule, they would be in breach of EU law and players who are discriminated against could take the member states to court, and they would win."

Yet Blatter, who does not seem to grasp that laws apply to Fifa and himself, said: "Speaking about it is illegal? For whom? For when? If there is a law, a law can be amended. I have already a meeting planned with the speaker of the European Parliament on 5 June in Brussels, as he said, to explore now the ways [forward].

"If he says to explore the ways, it's not to say 'stop it', so you see we're on the right track."

Blatter has been encouraged by support from such notables as Franz Beckenbauer, who is now the chairman of Fifa's football committee, and Michel Platini, the head of Uefa. Both those senior figures are among many who acknowledge that more could and should be done to nurture players and improve training in all countries.

They also acknowledge that some of the richest clubs can "stockpile" the best players, and that this is leading to a decline in competitive balance, but they also know that quotas based solely on passports cannot be imposed within the EU. Hence Uefa's own quota system, for all its failings, including the possibility that if and when if it is rolled out across domestic leagues, trafficking in children will increase.

Platini says he fully supports Blatter's aims. "It [quotas] is a thorny issue. Europe is not in a comfortable position, but we will do all we can to help the Fifa president reach this objective," he said.

Why 6+5 could equal trouble: How the Premier League teams add up

Fifa's definition of the proposed 6+5 rule: "At the beginning of each match, each club must field at least six players eligible to play for the national team of the country of the club. However, there is no restriction on the number of [foreign] players under contract with a club, nor on [nationality of substitutes], so potentially you could have "3+8" at the end of a match."

*Fifa's dream timetable to implementation: 2010-11 season: 4+7 (maximum of seven foreign players in starting XI).

2011-12 season: 5+6 (maximum of six foreign players in XI).

2012-13 season: 6+5 implemented in full.

If 6+5 had been in place on the last day of the 2007-08 Premier League season, here is how each club would have fared:

*Arsenal
FAILED VERY BADLY Only Theo Walcott was English. Five Englishmen short.

*Aston Villa
PASSED Six English players started: Carson, Knight, Reo-Coker, Barry, Young and Agbonlahor.

*Birmingham
FAILED. Only three English-qualified players started: Ridgewell, Murphy and Muamba. Three short.

*Blackburn
FAILED Only three English players started: Warnock, Bentley and Roberts. Three short.

*Bolton
PASSED Six English players started: Cahill, Samuel, Davies, McCann, Nolan and Taylor.

*Chelsea
FAILED Only four English players started: Terry, A Cole, Lampard, J Cole. Two short.

*Derby
FAILED Only three English players started: Mears, Moore and Jones. Three short.

*Everton
FAILED. Only four English players started: Neville, Jagielka, Lescott and Osman. Two short.

*Fulham
FAILED Only three English players started: Konchesky, Murphy and Bullard. Three short.

*Liverpool
FAILED BADLY Only two English players started: Carragher and Gerrard. Four short.

*Manchester City
FAILED BADLY Only two English players started: Ball and Vassell. Four short.

*Manchester United
JUST FAILED Five English players started: Brown, Ferdinand, Scholes, Carrick and Rooney. One short.

*Middlesbrough
FAILED Only four English players started: Young, Riggott, Wheater and Downing. Two short.

*Newcastle
PASSED Six English players started: Harper, Taylor, Butt, Smith, Owen and Carroll.

*Portsmouth
FAILED Only three English players started: Ashdown, Johnson and Defoe. Three short.

*Reading
JUST FAILED Five English players started: Duberry, Shorey, Harper, Lita and Kitson. One short.

*Sunderland
FAILED Only three English players started: Whitehead, Nosworthy and Leadbitter. Three short.

*Tottenham
FAILED Only four English players started: Dawson, Woodgate, Jenas and O'Hara. Two short.

*West Ham
PASSED WITH FLYING COLOURS Seven English players started: Green, Tomkins, Ferdinand, Noble, Parker, Zamora and Ashton.

*Wigan
JUST FAILED Five English players started: Kirkland, Bramble, Brown, M Bent and Heskey. One short.

[Red Devil]

Zuco asked in The News Room, now closed, if this was illegal under Euro law.

My reply:

Sort of. Europe claim footballers havesame rights as any other "worker". But this to my way of thinking is different.

As a direct result on unrestricted foreign work forces migrating to our Premier League, national teams are being starved of new talent, home grown youngsters, unless exceptional, have no chance of playing football in the top levels, or even some of the football league.

The Rooneys, Gerrards, Giggs, Fletchers etc of this world are becoming rarer and rarer. Now its Santos de la Brasilia, De la Espanyol, Jose Portuguese and Ivan the Italian!!

I am in favour of these restrictions, it can only be good for the game and for english talent etc. It will also encourage clubs to scout more at home, instead of on the internet.

[manutd43va]

this move will increase the already ridiculous prices of english players.
at the same time, think we are goin to suffer somehow as when we are 1 englishman short for any particular match, we have no choice but to pick players from the reserve side and throw them into the action where the difference in standards are very huge between the premierleague and the reserve league. most english clubs will suffer from this rule.
bad idea :(

[dlan4327]

I'm more interested in the motivations behind this rule.

Is the idea supposed to be that if English Clubs have more English players then the national team will do better?

They won't. England has plenty of quality players It's just that none of them play with heart for their country.

With notable exceptions of David Beckham, Owen Hargreaves & formerly Paul Scholes no English players seem happy in their white shirts.

I don't blame them, it's hard to be hungry for sucess when you know anything other than total victory will see the English media

call you every foul name under the sun and then label you a disappointment. Then you get abused by your own fans and finally

you get derided by other countries, the coach get's sacked and joins FC Twente. Where's the motivation to fight for that?

Or maybe the idea is to stop English clubs from dominating. That would probably work but with all respect, what's in it for the Poms? :)

[Keano!]

should this be used next season, and yes I know its proposed from 2012/2013, what would our line up be?

Current

Van Der Sar •
Brown
Vidic •
Ferdinand
Evra •
Ronaldo •
Scholes
Carrick
Anderson •
Rooney
Tevez •



So we're not actually that bad off. Fergie could sign a new midfielder and an attacker, yet we can still keep the bones of our team.

Still not in favour of it,but this eases my mind slightly...,

[Keano!]

Are the FA only agreeing with this so they dont upset FIFA and are still mates so they can host the World Cup?

[Natalie]

it will be good for international football bring it on

[eoininho]

The likes of Arsenal's youth system wont be overly hurt as they tend to have these players at a v young age, if you look at their academy on their website most of the players are foreign,

Having read that I'm not as worried as I was as I thought it was 100% that you had to be an English citizen.. mainly because Ireland depends on English football to produce our players!

[nigelchin]

it does help england's cause i guess, having a bigger pool of top class players. but true, english players doesnt care much about the pride of playing for their national team.

[manutd004]

Are the FA only agreeing with this so they dont upset FIFA and are still mates so they can host the World Cup?

Yes. I would say so.

But this is a ridiculous idea. The only reason its being discussed is because there was an all-English CL final. Where was the discussion when there was an all-Italian CL final?

I've continually said English players don't get the opportunity to play for the bigger clubs because they are not good enough. Its got nothing to do with too many foreigners or the like. If they are good enough, they will get the chance.

Also, I agree entirley with Keano! with his scenario.

This is nothing more than stupidity and will never come into force (and also because of the fact its illegal!)

[Drew9]

doing this will basically surrender our force in europe, spain or italy will be the dominant nation once again and that would be very frustrating, as for the england national team, imo it's down to motivation not enough of them care enough for the cause, from the other nights friendly imo the only one who really bust a gut was hargreaves, yes rooney and possibly gerrard worked hard aswell as rio but it comes down to really wanting it as we have the talent, and i would rather a successful united team than a successful england team any day :)

[NoxiousD]

Definitely in favour, the national game really is suffering at the mo

[stretty]

being members of the european union this cannot happen now surely

[RichardsReds]

I can see this happening actually

[thedude]

Well the English transfer market will be even more inflated.:rolleyes: .


I think thats where the problem lies...
The price on English players is too high, so teams tend to go to Europe/Americas because its cheaper.

i.e Why pay 17 million quid for Downie when you can get a player just as talented for 13million?


thats my two cents.

[ManUtd19]

I say the entire move would be a disaster. Even the padded 'home-grown' version of it. The English Premier League is the best in the world for a reason. Anyone can play. Changing this would be the worst decision ever.

The problem isn't with the foreign players. If the FA wants more players in the EPL then they should spend more money on promoting football academies and sport in general in the UK. Make the local players better instead of forcing the foreign players out.