Post by Salem6 on Apr 16, 2006 22:03:55 GMT
By Nick Harris
Published: 14 April 2006
sport.independent.co.uk/football/news/article357586.ece
Footballers in England overwhelmingly support the
introduction of quotas in the domestic game to promote
home-grown talent, according to the The Independent's
survey of professional players, with 83 per cent
across all divisions in favour.
Quotas will come into force in all European club
tournaments from this summer. Uefa, the European
game's governing body, will insist that at least four
"home-grown" players must be included in the 25-man
squad lists for Uefa competitions, including the
Champions' League and Uefa Cup, in the 2006-2007
season.
In England, this minimum of four players must comprise
at least two English players, and at least two more
who have been "club trained", defined as having been
registered at a club's academy for at least three
years between the ages of 16 and 21. These players
need not necessarily be English.
The "2+2" rule will apply in the first season of
quotas, increasing to "3+3" in 2007-8, and to "4+4" by
2008-9. In other words, by 2008 one-third of players
in squads must be locally trained.
Most national associations in Europe have already
agreed to implement the quotas domestically, which
they are not obliged to do. The Football Association,
under pressure from the Premier League, has been a
glaring exception, making it clear that it has no
intention of doing so. The Football League, however,
is fully supportive.
The Independent's survey shows that players in England
want quotas in the domestic game. Even in the
Premiership, which is the division with the most
foreign players and hence the least support for the
idea, 73 per cent want quotas. This rises to 82 per
cent in the Championship, 92 per cent in League One
and 84 per cent in League Two.
Arsenal, who have used all-foreign squads (of 16) in
domestic games, seem most likely to fall foul of
Uefa's requirements but even they would have
sufficient "home-growns", as things stand, to fulfil
the "2+2" rule next season, with Ashley Cole and Sol
Campbell as Englishmen, and the likes of Cesc Fabregas
and Philippe Senderos counting as "club trained" by
next season. Yet they would struggle to make "4+4"
immediately
Uefa's quotas are widely viewed within Europe, and
certainly by the Professional Footballers'
Association, as a "bare minimum" to help maintain some
local talent within clubs.
Quotas: The question we asked
Uefa quotas on foreigners come into force this summer,
requiring clubs to have at least four 'home-grown'
players in each squad for Uefa competitions. This will
rise to eight by 2008-09. Would you support the
introduction of the same quotas into domestic
football?
Yes/No/Unsure
Premiership 73%/27%/0
Championship 82%/16%/2%
League One 92%/7%/1%
League Two 84%/16%/0
All players 83%/16%/1%
NB: Results were different according to the
nationality of respondents. Among English players, 92
per cent were supportive. The 'yes' figures for other
nationalities were: Irish, 70 per cent; Scottish, 100
per cent; Welsh 89.5 per cent; Northern Irish 57 per
cent; all foreign (non-British or Irish) players, 35
per cent, falling to 19 per cent in the Premiership.