Foreign Player Quota ? What about Pedro & Co ?

By 4two
October 25 2002

Fifa President Sepp Blater has again raised the issue of foreign player quotas. It appears that the EU, UEFA and FIFA have discussed the possibility of a quota that if put in place would have some repercussions on the football world.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter promised to look in to introducing foreign player quotas if he was re-elected as FIFA President. Upon his re-election Blatter spoke about the origins of clubs. He Said "The origin of a club was ounce the same city, then it became the same region. But now, it's not even the same country."

His plans are to restrict it to 5 Non-Nationals per team, ensuring 6 home based players are in the side. Back in 1999 Uefa's legal advisors said any such attempt would limit the free movement of footballers in Europe and that it would clash with the European Unions employment law, and is there for unworkable.

Blatter has a reputation for wanting to revolutionise the game, and was the man that suggested the World Cup be played every two years, while playing a part in the creation of the Confederations Cup and the infamous World Club Championship.

It was not long ago that the Football League and European Competitions employed such rules. I for one remember European games when Alex Ferguson used to have to leave the likes of Dennis Irwin and Mark Hughes out of European ties.

If FIFA, UEFA & the EU happen to find away around the employment laws and enforce quotas it is widely expected to cause uproar in he British Game. It is not only the likes of Chelsea, Celtic, Rangers, Arsenal and Liverpool that field multinational line ups. Teams in the Nationwide leagues have players from all across Europe and the World plying their trade.

This would have a significant impact upon the Walsall Squad, who's non British Players Include.

Spanish :Aranalde, Martinez, Matias.

Australian: Corica, Zdrilic.

New Zealand: Danny Hay

Portuguese: Rodrigues, Leitao, Garracho

Brazilian: Herivelto, Junior

These "foreign" players make up just over a 1/3 of Walsall's squad, and if the Saddlers were going to have to replace 1/3 of their squad, it will really rock the boat both financially and in the dressing room. On a Match Day Aranalde, Matias, Corica, Hay, Zdrilic and Junior are the members of the foreign contingent involved, while others push for places on the bench.

Their is no doubt that this idea is going to be met with some serious opposition, some of which has already been voiced by members of the footballing community following Blatters speech on the idea the other day. On the other hand, it would be great for English Football to see the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea being forced to play the young British talent they have at their disposal.