Clubs consider quota system

Discussions begin over limit on homegrown players

Last updated: 10th February 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Clubs consider quota system

Parry: Discussing quota system

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Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has revealed that the 20 Premier League clubs have held talks about the introduction of a quota system.

The number of foreign players in English football has been a divisive issue for some time, although there are already restrictions in place for all clubs involved in the UEFA Champions League and the Uefa Cup.

They are obliged to have eight 'homegrown' players - of any nationality, but who have spent three years under the age of 21 at the club - in their 25-man squads.

All Premier League clubs are now considering a quota for a minimum number of homegrown players in their squads in a bid to stave off attempts to impose spending controls.

Parry said: "It was discussed at the Premier League last week after being put up by the Premier League board.

"We have not accepted a figure, just the principle that some minimum limit of homegrown players makes sense.

"For those of us in the Champions League we could introduce it now and it wouldn't be an issue. Indeed the Premier League did produce an analysis which showed that actually a lot of the clubs would not have too much difficult complying.

"It will certainly be given more consideration, it's a way off being decided but it was certainly a constructive discussion."