The FIFA Congress overwhelmingly approved a resolution yesterday to support a quota of six home-grown players and a maximum of five foreigners in club soccer teams.
The resolution gives the green light for soccer’s governing body to come up with a plan for introducing the quota system, possibly by 2010.
The resolution was passed by 155 votes to five with 40 abstentions at the congress held in Sydney.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been seeking the introduction of the quota system to protect the identity of national teams.
The resolution enables Blatter and his UEFA counterpart, Michel Platini, to explore all possible means within current laws to ensure the system is met.
The European Commission has expressed opposition to the FIFA move, warning that it would break EU labor rules.
Blatter is seeking the quota amid fears about the number of foreign players switching nationalities to play for different national teams, along with the competitiveness of club competitions.
Blatter told the Congress that he hoped to introduce the quota from 2010 with a minimum of four home players, going up to five in 2011 and the full six by 2012.
Platini, who spoke in favor of the motion, acknowledged it was a difficult issue. He said although he did not have full agreement at UEFA because of the risk of it being overturned in court, he had decided to “unanimously” agree to support the resolution.
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