AUSTRALIA: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - FIFA Congress approves further exploration of controversial 6+5 rule, but England FA not yet convinced

Record ID: 555977

  • Title: AUSTRALIA: SOCCER/FOOTBALL - FIFA Congress approves further exploration of controversial 6+5 rule, but England FA not yet convinced
  • Date: 31st May 2008
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE ENGLAND FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION BRIAN BARWICK SAYING: "Register the fact that it is a further exploration rather than a definitive position, I think that's important. Certainly we can understand the general principle of a further exploration, but we are keen exponents of those staying within domestic and international law and anything that would go forward, any initiative of its type would have to fit that criteria for us" (QUESTION: So in practise, what do you think that will mean?) BARWICK: "We have to see, that's why you have further exporation. But I think what I am trying to do is state a principle here that European law at the moment is pretty exacting on these issues and unless those type of hurdles can be overcome, there are still issues to take forward. So further exploration 'yes', but where it will end up, who knows?" (QUESTION: So the message to fans and clubs alike I guess is 'don't panic, you're still going to see international stars playing for clubs?) BARWICK: "I think that's absolutely the fact, absolutely the fact. I don't think in truth that is what this is about. It is about the balance. I have to say that we are still great believers in a meritocracy; that players should be in the team on performance and on ability first and foremost and it is interesting to point out, I think, that Manchester United did win the Champions League (final against Chelsea) with six English players, so in meritorious terms they got in the team on ability alone. Thank you" BARWICK WALKING AWAY
  • Embargoed: 15th June 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Australia
  • Country: Australia
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAEXQV19O9IBH3FG6M98GRNU142
  • Story Text: FIFA President Sepp Blatter said the organisation's Congress is happy with their decision to support the controversial '6+5' rule on foreign player quotas in clubs.
    The Congress meeting in Sydney, Australia on Friday (May 30) approved further exploration of the proposal, which would contravene current European law.

    "The congress was very happy in the result of overwhelming majority with 159 votes in favour," Blatter told a news conference.
    The vote by 155-5 was in favour of the objective of the rule, which would limit the number of foreign players who can start a club match to five.
    There were 40 abstentions.
    Blatter remained firmly on a collision course with European lawmakers who oppose the rule, but he insists that the clubs involved only represented a small percentage of FIFA worldwide members.

    "Can 30 associations which is about 15 percent of the total of the FIFA family shall they make the rules for all the others? And if I would be a bad boy I would even ask if this is not political interference in sport,"
    he said.
    Blatter added that he was working together with UEFA head Michel Platini to continue to explore the issue.

    "Solidarity, solidarity, we are only asking for a little bit of solidarity nothing else, we will not go into confrontation, why the hell should we go to a fight in Brussels. No the football will fight for us because now we have this resolution," he said.
    The European Union says the 6+5 rule would contravene its laws on free movement of workers, but Blatter hopes that under the EU's Treaty of Lisbon, to be ratified by January 1, 2009, sport will be made a special case.
    Germany's Franz Beckenbauer, chairman of FIFA's Football Committee, fully backed the quota proposals.
    Blatter also said he would fast-track to the year 2011 the decision on where the 2022 World Cup will be played. The decision on a venue for the 2018 competition is also due to be made in 2011.

    "We will open the bid for the World Cup 2018 and 2022 and then make a decision for one year and a decision four years later but to make it together and probably immediately before the next election in FIFA,"
    Blatter said.
    He said he would encourage potential bidders to nominate for both events, but added that FIFA rules would prevent the two tournaments being staged in countries from the same continent.
    The bidding for 2018 is already looming as a fierce contest with the United States, China, Russia, Australia, Japan, England, Mexico, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium and Qatar all expressing interest.
    With the World Cup heading to South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014, Blatter said Europe was looming as the most likely venue for 2018, although nothing was decided.
    Outside the Congress, England Football Association (FA) chief executive Brian Barwick was unconvinced on Friday (May 30) by FIFA's proposal to try to limit the number of foreign players in clubs, a move has been strongly opposed by the top English Premier League sides.
    Speaking to journalists, Barwick said he was happy for the sport's world governing body to explore the proposal, but clubs should still be allowed to select any players they wanted on merit.
    Barwick told journalists the FA welcomed further exploration, but it had to stay within domestic and international law.
    He added: "It is about the balance. I have to say that we are still great believers in a meritocracy; that players should be in the team on performance and on ability first and foremost and it is interesting to point out, I think, that Manchester United did win the Champions League (final against Chelsea) with six English players, so in meritorious terms they got in the team on ability alone."
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