BBC SPORT | Football | Foreigners face new curbs

Fifa and Uefa are planning new moves to limit the number of foreign stars allowed to play in domestic football.

Fifa is proposing that only five overseas players are allowed in any team.

And Uefa wants a specified percentage of clubs' first-team squads to have come up through their youth system.

Both schemes would have a dramatic effect on Premiership sides such as Chelsea, who have in the past fielded a full team of foreigners.

This would give clubs real incentive to develop players

Uefa's Mike Lee

Fifa's Player Status Committee will meet next Thursday to discuss a proposal that at least six players in any team must be eligible for the national side of the league they are playing in.

Time for a foreign quota? Have your say

Spokesman Markus Siegler said that the aim of the plan was to protect young players in all countries.

"It would be good for football and we are fully in line with Uefa," he said.

"It will form part of the negotiations and discussions with the political authorities in Europe."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter
Fifa's Sepp Blatter wants a five-foreigner limit
However, Uefa believes that the European Commission (EC) will be unwilling to back any restriction based on nationality, as it could be challenged in court under the principles of the Bosman ruling.

Uefa spokesman Mike Lee said: "We have suggested an idea where a certain number of players developed through a club's youth system must be part of their first-team squad.

"We have taken the lead in this and have had initial discussions with the EC.

"There has been some sympathetic reaction from them and an indication that it is worth exploring further.

"It would give clubs real incentive to develop players."

There are currently no limits on the number of foreigners British clubs are allowed to play.

PFA's foreign plea

But the Premier League would back a system that promoted home-grown talent.

Spokesman Philip French said: "We have to protect the domestic football structure and we would support a system that would ensure a proper balance."


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