letter to the editor from Richard Corbett MEP |
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30 November 2007 |
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The Times |
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Dear Editor, Commentators are right to criticise FIFA's attempts to impose foreign player quotas on clubs as a poorly thought through contribution to what is a serious debate on the future of our game at club and national level. Indeed, FIFA's "6 + 5" proposals are draconian and completely unworkable in the context of EU law on the free movement of workers which give us all - footballers and non-footballers alike - the right to work in any member country. However, a viable alternative does exist. UEFA's "home grown players" initiative was carefully framed so that it would fit within EU competition law. As of 2008, all clubs that compete in the Champions League will be required to have eight home grown players in a squad limited to 25. These players must have come through at least three years in a club academy scheme but do not have to be English. Therefore, it will oblige clubs to invest in youth academies - the breeding grounds for our future internationals - and training young players rather than relying on financial muscle in the transfer market. FIFA should support UEFA's sensible and workable scheme and not go barging in like a bull in a china shop. Yours, Richard Corbett Labour MEP for Yorkshire & Humber
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