Reuters Soccer Blog
World Soccer views and news
Friday afternoon question: Does 6 + 5 equal nothing but trouble?
FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s plans to limit the number of foreign players in a team, otherwise known as the “6+5″ rule, received overwhelming backing at FIFA’s congress in Sydney on Friday.
His plans, which would see clubs allowed to field a maximum of five foreign players, are contradictory to European Union laws and Brussels has already warned of legal action against any country which allows this rule to be implemented. Many national associations, leagues and clubs also say the plan is unfair and unworkable.
Blatter is forging ahead with the idea “for the good of the game” and says he has the backing of the fans. But does he? Would such a rule make it fairer for smaller clubs? Or would it lead to, say, Manchester United and Chelsea buying all the best English players, or Real Madrid cherry-picking Spanish players for reasons of nationality rather than ability?
UEFA says its ”home-grown player” rule — which has the backing of Brussels — is a “more balanced” approach.
Under this rule, clubs would have to have in their squads at least eight locally trained players, defined as players who have spent three years with that club or a club in the same association between the age of 15 and 21, without any nationality conditions.
How does this actually help countries that have little or no competition in their own countries? By allowing the big league countries, like England, Italy, and Spain to hire players from other countries helps to create better players. How could countries like the US ever begin to produce quality talent? At the moment there are very few who even make a roster abroad, let alone a starting line up. Look at the African leagues. How many of these players would be at the top level that they are if their dreams were to play for an African club. If the top clubs in Italy, England, and Spain can’t put together a team full of their nationals then there’s a reason. Fans want to see the best players in the world compete, not the best players from their country.
Countries that will lose out on this deal are the ones with leagues outside of Spain, Italy, England, and Germany. The leagues would start to become less interesting. Nationalism and racism would begin to grow. How is this a benefit to the sport?
Can anyone argue that England is not one of the best teams in Europe at the moment? Yet the top teams in the league don’t follow a 6+5 rule. If this rule passes I hope the English Premier league(and others) protest it.
Can you imagine if every company in the world had to follow these rules? Would you support an interviewer saying, “I’m sorry you are qualified for the position but we can’t hire any more foreigners. Instead we have to hire a less talented individual.” Or perhaps people saying, “you know, Coca Cola is too strong. We need to level out the playing field so that all soft drinks have a fair share.” Even if the world prefers to drink Coke(sorry coke haters, I don’t like it either but still).