Blatter wins backing for quota proposal'It is an overwhelming support to this resolution'
Sepp Blatter argues the case for limiting foreign players at Fifa's annual congress. Photograph: Torsten Blackwood/AFP/Getty Images
Sepp Blatter's controversial proposal to introduce a law forcing clubs to field a minimum of six home nationals in their starting line-ups has moved a step closer to fruition after it received overwhelming backing at Fifa's annual congress in Sydney. The Fifa president's resolution was endorsed by a majority of 155-5, with 40 abstentions.
"We were at the crossroad between the interests of clubs and national teams, and the congress of Fifa has given very clear indications of where we have to go," said Blatter. "Together with the chairman of Fifa's football committee, Mr Franz Beckenbauer, and Michel Platini, we come to this resolution. The congress was very happy in a result of overwhelming majority, with 155 votes in favour and five against. It is an overwhelming support to this resolution. The application of such a system would start only at the end of 2010 and we would start progressively with four, five and six."
Blatter hopes to have the scheme, which would limit teams to five foreign players, in place by the 2012-13 season. However, he is likely to encounter stiff resistance from the European Commission, who have denounced the idea – which would risk falling foul of regulations on free movement of labour and non-discrimination – as illegal and discriminatory.
The European parliament recently voted by more than 10 to one against Blatter's plan, with Vladimir Spidla, the European commissioner for employment, insisting that "the proposal is directly discriminatory and therefore incompatible with EU law". Blatter, however, remains unperturbed by the possibility of a legal challenge.
"Speaking about it is illegal? For whom? For when? If there is a law, a law can be amended," said Blatter. "Where there is a will, there is a way. And we will try with consultation and consultation and not confrontation. I have a meeting with the speaker of the European parliament on June 5 in Brussels, as he said, to explore the ways. If he says to explore the ways, it's not to say 'stop it', so you see we're on the right track."
Michel Platini, the Uefa president, expressed his support for the scheme while acknowledging the potential legal complications surrounding its implementation. "It is a thorny issue," said Platini. "Europe is not [in] a comfortable position but we will do all we can to help the Fifa president reach this objective.
"[The rule] is considered illegal by the European Union. Within the football family we don't all agree. Some of the leagues were against, some in favour, clubs generally against. We at Uefa would find ourselves in a difficult place and could find ourselves in court. [But] I fully share the philosophy and objectives of the rule. We are in full agreement when it comes to the general idea."
How far Fifa are from moulding that philosophy into a workable scheme remains to be seen. Blatter, who has previously sought backing for the proposal by arguing that the Premier League's domination of the Champions League highlights the need for a more level playing field, is now of the view that the idea would not have a radical impact on the status quo after all.
"We have had Manchester United winning the European Champions League with six players eligible for the Great Britain team at the beginning of the match, so we are not far away," Blatter added. Chelsea had four. Zenit St Petersburg, when they played Glasgow Rangers, they had up to seven. Glasgow had four or five. We are not far away from a situation.
guardian
