Blatter: Foreigners Hurting England
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has cited the increasing number of foreign players in the Premiership as the underlining reason for England’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008.
England missed out on qualification courtesy of a 3-2 home defeat to Croatia in their final group game which saw them finish behind Slaven Bilic’s side and Russia in Group E.
Speaking on the nation’s failings Blatter commented that sides such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are giving foreign players a platform to improve their own ability and thus the quality of their national side, a factor that weakens the England team as home grown players are continually left out of the team.
Speaking to Reuters at the University of Switzerland, Blatter said: “Football is unpredictable and sometimes without any logic but it is a fact that in the strongest English teams the best players are not always English.
"So where are the best English players coming from? They are coming from the less strong teams, which is weakening the English national team. What is happening in England is that the best teams are preparing the national team players for England's opponents."
The Premier League has benefited the other countries taking part in the European championships, but not England."
Blatter continues to moot the “6+5” proposal which would see clubs have to field six domestic players and just five from overseas. His controversial offering has become the talking point of clubs around Europe and despite an initial dismissal by the European Union, Blatter is defiant in his bid.
"I am very happy that this has been accepted that the dialogue goes on, as long as we discuss, there is always a way to find possible solutions," he added.
"There has been much opposition to the plan since we first went public with it at the FIFA Congress in Munich two years ago, and the opposition is still coming from UEFA who want to remain on good terms with the European Union. But the EU is a political union with 27 independent states covering 30 football associations and one parliament and one commission."
One piece of legislation conjured by UEFA has been viewed in a more favourable light by the EU parliament, that of the ‘home-grown’ rule which states that teams must contain a certain quota of players to progress from their academies, though there are no restrictions on nationality.
Blatter is taking inspiration from UEFA’s ruling and remains convinced that he can persuade the EU that his own proposal is to the benefit of international sides."
Yesterday, the French President, Mr Sarkozy said that there must be an exemption for sport and this will be a matter for him when he has the presidency of the European Union from July 1.
"There has to be a solution and sport has to have an exemption. You also cannot have 27 European states making the rules for 208 members of FIFA from all over the world," he continued.
"It is not possible. We are saying to the politicians, do not think that Europe is alone in the world. Everyone preaches solidarity but then they should show some more solidarity themselves. We have to defend the integrity of the worldwide game.
"If it becomes EU law, then it will be a football law as well, and the clubs will accept it.
“There will be no breakaway."
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What are your opinions on this?
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has cited the increasing number of foreign players in the Premiership as the underlining reason for England’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008.
England missed out on qualification courtesy of a 3-2 home defeat to Croatia in their final group game which saw them finish behind Slaven Bilic’s side and Russia in Group E.
Speaking on the nation’s failings Blatter commented that sides such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are giving foreign players a platform to improve their own ability and thus the quality of their national side, a factor that weakens the England team as home grown players are continually left out of the team.
Speaking to Reuters at the University of Switzerland, Blatter said: “Football is unpredictable and sometimes without any logic but it is a fact that in the strongest English teams the best players are not always English.
"So where are the best English players coming from? They are coming from the less strong teams, which is weakening the English national team. What is happening in England is that the best teams are preparing the national team players for England's opponents."
The Premier League has benefited the other countries taking part in the European championships, but not England."
Blatter continues to moot the “6+5” proposal which would see clubs have to field six domestic players and just five from overseas. His controversial offering has become the talking point of clubs around Europe and despite an initial dismissal by the European Union, Blatter is defiant in his bid.
"I am very happy that this has been accepted that the dialogue goes on, as long as we discuss, there is always a way to find possible solutions," he added.
"There has been much opposition to the plan since we first went public with it at the FIFA Congress in Munich two years ago, and the opposition is still coming from UEFA who want to remain on good terms with the European Union. But the EU is a political union with 27 independent states covering 30 football associations and one parliament and one commission."
One piece of legislation conjured by UEFA has been viewed in a more favourable light by the EU parliament, that of the ‘home-grown’ rule which states that teams must contain a certain quota of players to progress from their academies, though there are no restrictions on nationality.
Blatter is taking inspiration from UEFA’s ruling and remains convinced that he can persuade the EU that his own proposal is to the benefit of international sides."
Yesterday, the French President, Mr Sarkozy said that there must be an exemption for sport and this will be a matter for him when he has the presidency of the European Union from July 1.
"There has to be a solution and sport has to have an exemption. You also cannot have 27 European states making the rules for 208 members of FIFA from all over the world," he continued.
"It is not possible. We are saying to the politicians, do not think that Europe is alone in the world. Everyone preaches solidarity but then they should show some more solidarity themselves. We have to defend the integrity of the worldwide game.
"If it becomes EU law, then it will be a football law as well, and the clubs will accept it.
“There will be no breakaway."
-----------
What are your opinions on this?
