Blatter delighted by 6+5 backing

FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Thursday welcomed an independent report which supported his claim that a controversial plan to limit the number of foreign players in matches would not breach European law.

The so-called “6+5” plan, which states that at the start of a game a team must contain at least six players who are eligible for the national team of that club’s country, has been dismissed by the European Commission as a restriction on labour movement.

But the INEA (the Institute for European Affairs) study, which was carried out at FIFA’s request by a panel of European legal experts, concluded that the scheme does not breach European law.

“This study confirms that we are not breaching European law in defending the 6+5 rule,” said Blatter.

“On behalf of FIFA and its member associations, I would like to express my pleasure at this finding. Through 6+5, we wish to encourage the development of young players, protect national teams and maintain competitiveness and the unpredictability of results.

“This is why 6+5 is beneficial to football. It is also supported by the IOC (the International Olympic Committee) and has been ratified by other team sports, such as basketball, handball, ice hockey, rugby and volleyball, which all face the same problems.”

INEA chairman Professor Jurgen Gramke said that the 6+5 plan, which has the backing of FIFA members, did not contravene European law.

“There is no conflict with European law,” said Gramke in the INEA report.

“The key aim of the 6+5 rule in the view of the experts is the creation and assurance of sporting competition,” added the report.

“The 6+5 rule does not impinge on the core area of the right to freedom of movement.”

Blatter wants the 6+5 rule introduced by the start of the 2012-2013 season.