UEFA approved new Quota plans

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UEFA’s strategy to include at least eight homegrown players in a squad of 25 by 2008 has been concluded by its 52 members unanimously. The new rules come into play next season 2006/2007 and encourage all teams to nurture and develop local talent. A requirement of European competition is to consist of four homegrown players in their squads - two club-trained players and two association-trained players. In 2007 clubs will need three from each category and in 2008 - four from both. UEFA refers to club-trained players as 15 and 21 year olds who have been employed at a club for three years or longer, while an association-trained player is someone of the same caliber but he could have been signed from another club. Numbers are expected to rise consecutively to three in 2007 and four in 2008 form both categories. Clubs who fall short of this criteria will incur a penalty, where their European squad will be reduced by the same number they are short. However there is no such curb on the number of club-trained players allowed within a squad of 25; but you cannot have more than the specified number of association-trained players which means clubs cannot just buy players in to meet the criteria. UEFA vice-president Per Ravn Omdal said: "This is of fundamental importance to the future of football. We want a limited and moderate step here so that the clubs can keep in line with our new rule by 2008/09. It should above all be a sporting contest. This sporting element means that every club must accept some responsibility for training and not rely solely on acquiring those players who were trained by others."