FIFA to limit foreign players

[jonny.rainbow]

Don't see how limiting the amount of foreigners in a matchday side can be deemed a 'restriction of trade' as the players will earn their wage regardless.

I think this will happen and hopefully sooner rather than later.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

Would be great if it did happen. The League would be more competitive, the gulf between Championship and Premiership would shrink and the fans would be slightly closer to the players again.

surely the big 4 would just sign up all the best english players from the other teams?

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

Don't see how limiting the amount of foreigners in a matchday side can be deemed a 'restriction of trade' as the players will earn their wage regardless.
.

because you're restricting where people can work

 

[beorhthelm]

the issue of weather or not it is actually illegal is ultimately up to a court to decide, not the EU or anyone else. Whats really going on here is just posturing from the EU who dont like the idea that some outside group might get one over them.

but my 2p and the obvious arguement that Fifa/Uefa can make is that it simply doesnt cause any restraint of trade. a player may still sign for Arsenal, its just upto the manager to select his team within the governing body's rules. the players still get paid and continue their proffesional role without restraint.

Rafa Benitez will love it.

 

[Pavilionaire]

I think they should limit the number of Polish builders to 5 per site to give our young British builders a chance to break through.

Wank decision.

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

but my 2p and the obvious arguement that Fifa/Uefa can make is that it simply doesnt cause any restraint of trade. a player may still sign for Arsenal, its just upto the manager to select his team within the governing body's rules. the players still get paid and continue their proffesional role without restraint.

this is true, aslong as there isn't any restriction on a team BUYING foreign players it's fine

the managers will hate it though

 

[Keeping The Dream Alive.]

surely the big 4 would just sign up all the best english players from the other teams?

No, because the smaller clubs would have less desire to sell. They would be closer to "the big 4" without their foriegners and will therefore fancy their chances at catching them and beating them. Their mind-set would be more ambitious, the introduction of the rule would create hope for the lesser teams and they would genuinely believe they have a chance to challenge the bigger teams.

 

[supaseagull]

Just playing devil's advocate here but how can a game of football not be competitive. Surely kids will want to win whether the result matters or not.

Yes - but it's down to the pressure that the team's coach puts on the children. If the coach says "you've got to win this game at all costs" it's different to "go out, have fun and try your best to win".

All games will, and should, be competitive. However, I believe that in the Netherlands they restrict the size of the pitch kids play on, with the idea that they will develop better close ball skills (tackling, control and passing) if there isn't a massive area to just hoof the ball in and someone (usually the biggest) to just run after. Maybe this is something that we should consider doing in the UK.

We do at Under 10's and below - Mini-Soccer was bought in by the FA to do this. The problems come when they hit 11 years of age when they have to play on pretty much a full size pitch and that's where children begin to lose interest at playing, because they can't cope with playing on the larger pitch.

What I really do believe is that 8 a side Mini-Soccer should continue to be played up until the ages of 14 and then introduce the 3 extra players and the larger pitch.

One other thing that hasn't been mentioned as well is the massive pressure put on children by their own parents. I've seen children in tears because of the pressure parents put on their children and they(the children) just get fed up with it and want to stop playing football.

It's sad inditement of parents when they insist on living their dreams through their children.

 

[Hercules Rockerfeller]

School football teams are really a thing of the past...Most schools don't coach players to any great extent any longer...However, one thing we do have, especially in Sussex, are excellent youth football clubs which over the last 20 years have produced an excellent standard of players.

From Meridian and Rottingdean Youth toward the east to Adur Athletic, Fishersgate, Hove Park Colts in the west, all have produced players who've played at a high level.

Being involved in youth football myself, I can see from the games I watch and the tournaments I attend just how strong youth football is in Sussex right through from Under 6's to Under 15's.

The biggest problem with football in this country isn't the amount of foreign players...but it's lack of decent facilities provided by local councils and the lack of funding from the FA. How can we consistently produce good young players when local authorities remove goal posts from parks every May...The time when children play football the most is during the summer holidays and they don't have any facilities to play...it's ridiculous.

I am really pleased to hear what you've said about youth football in Sussex. I am glad there are decent people out there willing to give their time to help the kids develop. But, you are completely right about the funding. It is bordering on obscene that with the amount of money in the game we don't have even basic facilities in a lot of areas. or even just open spaces for kids to play amongst themselves. The FA needs to get a grip on the money in the game.

 

[jonny.rainbow]

because you're restricting where people can work

No you're not.

You're restricting whether they play or not.

They are still employed by the club and therefore 'working' even if they are not in the starting 11.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

the issue of weather or not it is actually illegal is ultimately up to a court to decide, not the EU or anyone else. Whats really going on here is just posturing from the EU who dont like the idea that some outside group might get one over them.

but my 2p and the obvious arguement that Fifa/Uefa can make is that it simply doesnt cause any restraint of trade. a player may still sign for Arsenal, its just upto the manager to select his team within the governing body's rules. the players still get paid and continue their proffesional role without restraint.

Rafa Benitez will love it.

I think the point has already been decided upon in the European Court of Justice in 1995.
Part of the 'Bosman' ruling confirmed that it is illegal for national leagues and UEFA to impose quotas on foreign nationals if they are citizens of another EU member state as this is descrimination - hence the response from the EU Commission, whose role is to implement the law.

 

[Cian]

No you're not.

You're restricting whether they play or not.

They are still employed by the club and therefore 'working' even if they are not in the starting 11.

European Courts won't agree with you. Restricting what work people do is an unfair restrictment of employment - it would have the knock-on effect of less people being hired.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

We do at Under 10's and below - Mini-Soccer was bought in by the FA to do this. The problems come when they hit 11 years of age when they have to play on pretty much a full size pitch and that's where children begin to lose interest at playing, because they can't cope with playing on the larger pitch.

What I really do believe is that 8 a side Mini-Soccer should continue to be played up until the ages of 14 and then introduce the 3 extra players and the larger pitch.

One other thing that hasn't been mentioned as well is the massive pressure put on children by their own parents. I've seen children in tears because of the pressure parents put on their children and they(the children) just get fed up with it and want to stop playing football.

It's sad inditement of parents when they insist on living their dreams through their children.

I used to be a mini-rugby coach and the boys don't start playing full contact, 15 a side on a full sized pitch until U13/U14.
We had similar issues with some parents but usually dealt with it internally, eventually suggesting that they left the club if they wouldn't behave - I think the RFU had/has a policy on this.
I've seen rugby referees stop games, send coaches to the dressing room and order parents to leave on occasions. Unfortunately, it's the only way sometimes.

 

[Kukev31]

So is it illegal not to allow foreign players to play for the National side?

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

So is it illegal not to allow foreign players to play for the National side?

i may be wrong but players don't draw a salary from the national side (only prize money etc.) and its therefore not restricting where they work

 

[ram1992]

English players that have been included in a premiership first team this season :

Arsenal : Theo walcott , Justin hoyte

Aston Villa: Scott Carson, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, Luke Moore, Marlon Harewood, Curtis Davies, Zat Knight, Nigel Reo-Coker, Craig Gardner.

Birmingham: Liam Ridgewell, David Murphy, Fabrice Muamba, Martin Taylor, Cameron Jerome, Gary McSheffrey, Stuart Parnaby.

Blackburn: Stephen Warnock, David Bentley, Matt Derbyshire, David Dunn.

Bolton: Gary Cahill, Jlloyd Samuel, Kevin Davies, Gavin McCann, Kevin Nolan, Matthew Taylor, Nicky Hunt.

Chelsea: John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Wayne Bridge, Steve Sidwell, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Derby: Tyrone Mears, Darren Moore, David Jones, Alan Stubbs, Craig Fagan, Andy Todd.

Everton: Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott, Leon Osman, Tony Hibbert, Leighton Baines.

Fulham: Paul Konchesky, Danny Murphy, Jimmy Bullard.

Liverpool: Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Peter Crouch, Jermaine Pennant.

Manchester City: Michael Ball, Darius Vassell, Joe Hart, Micah Richards, Nedum Onuoha, Michael Johnson.

Manchester United: Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney, Owen Hargreaves, Ben Foster, Chris Eagles.

Middlesbrough: Luke Young, Chris Riggott, David Wheater, Stewart Downing, Gary O'Neil, Lee Cattermole, Andrew Taylor, Adam Johnson.

Newcastle: Steve Harper, Steven Taylor, Nicky Butt, Alan Smith, Michael Owen, Andy Carroll, Joey Barton, James Milner.

Portsmouth: Jamie Ashdown, Glen Johnson, Jermain Defoe, David James, Linvoy Primus, David Nugent, Sol Campbell.

Reading: Michael Duberry, Nicky Shorey, James Harper, Leroy Lita, Dave Kitson, Liam Rosenior.

Sunderland: Dean Whitehead, Nyron Nosworthy, Grant Leadbitter, Kieran Richardson, Greg Halford, Danny Higginbottom, Michael Chopra, Phil Bardsley.

Tottenham: Michael Dawson, Jonathan Woodgate, Jermaine Jenas, Jamie O'Hara, Ledley King, Paul Robinson, Tom Huddlestone, Darren Bent, Aaron Lennon.

West Ham: Robert Green, James Tomkins, Anton Ferdinand, Mark Noble, Scott Parker, Bobby Zamora, Dean Ashton, Freddie Sears, Matthew Upson, Hayden Mullins, Calum Davenport, Lee Bowyer, Carlton Cole, Keiron Dyer.

Wigan: Chris Kirkland, Titus Bramble, Michael Brown, Marcus Bent, Emile Heskey, Ryan Taylor.

Quite surprised to see that fulham have only 1 more than arsenal

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

surely the big 4 would just sign up all the best english players from the other teams?

Doug Loft to Chelsea ?

 

[turienzo's lovechild]

English players that have been included in a premiership first team this season :


Quite surprised to see that fulham have only 1 more than arsenal

if you did it as 'british' then they'd have far more

 

[beorhthelm]

Part of the 'Bosman' ruling confirmed that it is illegal for national leagues and UEFA to impose quotas on foreign nationals if they are citizens of another EU member state as this is descrimination

i fail to see the relevance of Bosman which concerned the transfer of players out of/at end of contract. maybe im wrong, but even if it does, surely they is scope to maneuver and change any previous ruling with a new ruling, otherwise why is Fifa even bothering?

European Courts won't agree with you. Restricting what work people do is an unfair restrictment of employment

but its not restraint of trade/employment as long as their is no limit or quota on the squad. players are paid per week, not per apperance, all year round, so they are effectively paid to train rather than to play. I think its wide open to interpretation.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

i fail to see the relevance of Bosman which concerned the transfer of players out of/at end of contract. maybe im wrong, but even if it does, surely they is scope to maneuver and change any previous ruling with a new ruling, otherwise why is Fifa even bothering?

The ECJ ruling wasn't just about Std Liege's attempt to prevent Bosman pursuing his carear (ie restraint of trade). The were a number of related issues including the illegality of the player quota systems that were employed by UEFA and some European Football Associations at the time.

but its not restraint of trade/employment as long as their is no limit or quota on the squad. players are paid per week, not per apperance, all year round, so they are effectively paid to train rather than to play. I think its wide open to interpretation.

So there's no win, clean sheet, appearance, crowd, bonuses for players? In any case, if you don't (ie your not allowed to) play then aren't you being stopped from working, furthering your career etc?
Personally, I really can't see this standing up in Court (should it even get that far); looks like a lot of hot air, bandwagon jumping (Johnny Foreigner's ruining our national team) and time wasting from Blatter et al.