FIFA Report -- Europe Remains Obstacle for Blatter, English Resistance Thwarts Club Regulation, FIFA Slaps Ban on Peru

Europe Still Blatter Stumbling Block

An informal meeting of European Union ministers has failed to breathe life into a FIFA plan to introduce the controversial '6+5 Rule.'

FIFA President Sepp Blatter is determined to introduce the rule, under which there will be a minimum quota of local players in starting lineups for club matches, despite opposition from the European Commission.

But while a few of the 27 European ministers are sympathetic to the Blatter plan, the position of the overwhelming majority reflected the plan is in breach of strict EU treaties promoting free movement of workers.

There was some consolation for FIFA in conclusion of the meeting, including a resolution that ministers encourage further discussion on initiatives "put forward by international federations to encourage the teams of professional clubs in each country to develop the presence of athletes capable of qualifying for national teams, in compliance with EU law, to strengthen the regional and national roots of professional sport."

While EU officials affirm there is no change to the legal status of the '6+5 Rule' under European law, they also flagged a review of the alternative plan of European football governing body UEFA in a few years time.

Under the UEFA 'home-grown player rule,' clubs would have to adhere to a quota of locally-trained players without any discrimination on nationality. The UEFA plan was approved by Brussels earlier this year.

Another proposal by UEFA President Michel Platini aimed at bolstering the home-grown rule by banning the transfer of players under the age of 18 was sympathetically received, but diplomats say it requires further study into whether it also breaches EU employment laws.

Platini told the meeting the transfer of players under the age of 18 was "equivalent to child trafficking."

"Only one in ten make the grade and the rest are left on the scrapheap," Platini said in his speech.

Blatter is part of a powerful delegation from the Olympic and sporting movement that attended the two-day Biarritz, France meeting, led by IOC President Jacques Rogge.

Other high profile sporting leaders included President of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF) René Fasel, UEFA President Michel Platini, President of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Bernard Lapasset and General Secretary of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Patrick Baumann.

Blatter said before the meeting he was delighted with the opportunity to again "defend the specificity and autonomy of sport as well as issues such as the protection of minors and training clubs, and in particular, the principles and objectives of 6+5."

British Resistance Thwarts Euro Super-Regulator Plan

At the same meeting, British resistance has thwarted a plan to establish a financial clearing house for European sport.

Frenchman Bernard Laporte, the European sports minister by virtue of his homeland holding the EU rotating presidency, had been seeking to establish the principle of pan-European financial licensing for sports.

The draft conclusions drawn up by the French included support from the 27 ministers for "European control of club management."

But vigorous opposition to the concept over the two days of the meeting saw that phrase and another section referring to a possible European "self-regulatory system" omitted from the final summit declaration.

For the Premier League – arguably the most influential and developed football competition in the world – there had been fears the meeting could mark the beginning of a move towards a European super-regulator.

British Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe heralded the outcome a triumph.

"It has been very successful. Everything we wanted to be withdrawn from the ministerial statement has been, so we are very pleased with that," Sutcliffe said following the meeting.

"There is nothing in there now about the regulation of clubs as far as Europe is concerned. That is now a matter for UEFA to discuss with clubs."

But the victory will not satisfy Laporte and others who have voiced concerns that English sides have an unfair advantage because they can borrow more than continental teams in their quest for success.

UEFA President Michel Platini told ministers at the meeting his organization is considering rules on finances for clubs in its own European competitions and while there is no intention of interfering with domestic league rules, he wants to ensure "financial fair play" in UEFA competitions.

Peru Banned

FIFA says it has suspended the Peruvian Football Association (FPF) after a row with the government over alleged political interference.

It says the ban covers "all international sporting contact for its clubs, national teams, referees and officials."

FIFA President Sepp Blatter had warned last week that the FPF had a week to resolve its conflict with the government or face suspension.

The Peruvian government says it does not recognize FPF head Maneul Burga, who it accuses of not respecting the law.

Burga had been re-elected in 2007, despite the Peruvian Institute of Sports (IPD) banning him from any post of responsibility for five years for alleged non-compliance with the laws regarding the running of sporting institutions.

"FIFA wishes to make clear that the FPF will only be allowed to return to the fold of the world and South American football communities on the basis of negotiations with the president and board of the FPF who were elected in October 2007," it says in a statement.

Written by

Anthony Stavrinos

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