Dear Editor,
After talking sense about the Premier League's plan for a 39th game, Sepp Blatter has returned to his usual mode of bull in a china shop with regards to his and FIFA's highly unrealistic 'six + five' rule, which will force clubs to always field at least six players from their own country.
His determination to push this rule through, with barely any consultation, is in stark contrast to UEFA's measured approach to address the same issue, which has seen them work closely alongside the European Parliament to ensure there is no conflict with EU rules, in particular the freedom of movement that membership of the EU grants to all citizens.
While less dramatic, UEFA has gradually introduced its home-grown player rule which requires clubs competing in European competitions to have a quota of players who have spent at least three years in a team's youth development set-up. By the 2008/09 season clubs must have eight home-grown players in their 25-man squads, a realistic measure that takes into account the need for clubs to produce talent rather than simply buying it, while also respecting EU law.
Yours,
Richard Corbett
Labour MEP for Yorkshire & Humber
Blenheim Terrace, Leeds
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