Blatter to tackle PL dominance

Fifa president to continue push for 'six plus five' rule

Last updated: 7th May 2008

Sepp Blatter

Blatter: 'Six plus five' rule

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Fifa president Sepp Blatter has again reiterated his plans to implement the 'six plus five' rule in the Premier League.

Blatter's latest call follows his observation that English clubs have recently dominated the UEFA Champions League.

For the last two seasons, there have been three Premier League sides in the last-four of Europe's elite club competition

Blatter is keen to limit the number of foreign players in England's top flight, forcing sides to start every match with at least six England-qualified players.

The Frenchman is to seek a mandate from the Fifa Congress later this month to begin talks with the European Union and football's authorities over implementing the 'six plus five' rule.

National inequality

Blatter said: "Shall we let the rich become richer and say nothing?

"The big money is coming out of the Champions League - it's the biggest league in the world and practically 80 per cent of the income goes to the directly to the 32 participating clubs.

"This season, there were four English teams in the last eight, three in the semi-finals and two in the final.

"The Champions League has been very successful financially but it has also favoured national inequality. That's why, being in charge of football, I have to bring this item to the attention of the Congress.

"This is the sporting situation but let us start with our idea of the 'six plus five' rule and then we will see what the difference will be in the future.

"This rule will be fighting against the monopolies of clubs and leagues. But we are not fighting the problem of money but for the identity of national teams."

In order for a cap to be legal, Fifa will need the European Union to agree to make sport an exception to its employment laws, which guarantee freedom of movement for its citizens.

Brazilian concerns

Fifa will also look to extend the residency period to five years before a player can represent another country - in some countries the period is currently as short as two years.

Blatter added: "After only a two-year period, a player can receive nationality from another country and there is a danger that in 2014 half the players in the World Cup could come from Brazil!

"That's why the executive committee will propose to the Congress that only after five years being resident that a player can become a 'football citizen'."