Football League Votes In Home-grown Players Ruling
The Football League has voted in favour of implementing a quota on home-grown players in every matchday squad beginning from the start of next season.
At least four players in every 16-man match-day squad will have to have been registered domestically for at least three years before their 21st birthday.
The new rule is in line with European governing body UEFA’s approach and means players who have spent long enough registered to a domestic club will be considered as ‘home grown’ regardless of their nationality.
World football governing body FIFA had proposed a ‘six-plus-five’ rule – which would have limited the number of foreign players to five – but this ran into problems with European Union law.
In making the announcement, Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney commented: ‘This is a very significant day. Players coming through will have a greater chance to show their talent.’
‘I believe we are the first major league in Europe to have brought in this rule. This may not have a widespread effect immediately but it’s about what happens in the years ahead. We agree with UEFA president Michel Platini that young players are the backbone of the teams.
‘We are encouraged that many others in football and the media think this is a significant more forward.’
The Football League proposal was voted in at a meeting at Derby County’s Pride Park ground with only one of the 67 clubs represented not in support of it.
