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European Union quotas won't apply to EU members
Pan-European - 08 November, 2007
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The European Union is considering a home-grown player minimum quota on clubs but, if the quota is filled by anybody from an EU member nation, it would count.
That is one step toward limiting the number of overseas players plying their trade abroad, but hardly the step envisioned by FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who wanted to home-grown talent to be from a given nation, not spread out through the EU.
Blatter has wanted FIFA to be in charge of all rules and regulations in its membership, with the final say on quotas or the like.
The European Commission has long said that quotas are tantamount to discrimination.
The only thing in place is the UEFA bylaw that says six locally trained players must be on the club. That number expands to eight next season. Locally trained can encompass players who have been with the club for three seasons between the ages of 15 and 21. There is no definition on their nationality.
"Whether you are a goalkeeper or a factory worker - as long as you receive a salary - you are a worker," an EU spokesman said. "Therefore, you have the right to move and work freely within the European Union and this right must be granted also to football players.
"However, the Commission is in constant dialogue with FIFA, UEFA and other relevant sports organisations and recognises that there is an issue about home-grown players."
That is one step toward limiting the number of overseas players plying their trade abroad, but hardly the step envisioned by FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who wanted to home-grown talent to be from a given nation, not spread out through the EU.
Blatter has wanted FIFA to be in charge of all rules and regulations in its membership, with the final say on quotas or the like.
The European Commission has long said that quotas are tantamount to discrimination.
The only thing in place is the UEFA bylaw that says six locally trained players must be on the club. That number expands to eight next season. Locally trained can encompass players who have been with the club for three seasons between the ages of 15 and 21. There is no definition on their nationality.
"Whether you are a goalkeeper or a factory worker - as long as you receive a salary - you are a worker," an EU spokesman said. "Therefore, you have the right to move and work freely within the European Union and this right must be granted also to football players.
"However, the Commission is in constant dialogue with FIFA, UEFA and other relevant sports organisations and recognises that there is an issue about home-grown players."
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