Soccer's world governing body FIFA overwhelmingly approved the introduction of foreign-player restrictions Saturday, setting the stage for a legal fight with powerful European leagues and clubs. FIFA President Sepp Blatter was bullish about the chances of a “6+5” rule being implemented. The rule would force clubs to have at least six players in the starting lineup who were eligible to play for the national team of the country their club was based in. The European Union and England's powerful Premier League responded immediately to Friday's vote at the 58th FIFA Congress by saying the rule contravened EU law on freedom of movement for workers, and would not withstand legal challenge. Blatter had long championed the rule to prevent the drain of players away from Africa and Latin America, aid player development, protect the national identity of clubs, and slow the growing imbalance between leagues. His argument was backed by German legend Franz Beckenbauer and former France great Michel Platini, two of Europe's most powerful soccer politicians, who said they would work to implement the rule. The proposal was supported by 155 delegates, with five against and 40 abstaining. Despite overwhelming support for the objectives of the rule, few of FIFA's European delegates expect it to be implemented without a fight. Blatter proposed a stepped introduction, with a 4+7 rule in place by 2010, 5+6 in 2011 and the 6+5 in 2012, giving clubs time to adjust their player contracts and rosters. Since the Bosman ruling in 1995, which classified players as workers, the European Union has prohibited restrictions on the free movement of players within the EU. “If you look at the workers in general, you have two percent (of workers from other EU countries) for the general population in the 27 EU nations, but 43 percent for the footballers,” Blatter said. “Footballers should be known by some other identity, not simply as workers. “When trying to introduce such a solution, naturally we shall not forget we're living in a world where we have to face national and international law. It's not our intention, and has never been, just to go into confrontation with our governmental authorities. “The European Union is an economic and political power with 27 members and 30 (soccer) associations – 15 percent of the total of the FIFA family. Shall they make the rules for all the others?” If implemented, FIFA or UEFA could face legal action at the EU's Court of Justice in Luxembourg. England's Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick was also standing by the EU law. “Certainly we can understand the general principle of further exploration, but we're keen exponents of things staying within domestic and international law,” Barwick said. “Any initiative of its type would have to fit that criteria for us.” UEFA chief Platini was more enthusiastic, saying his confederation would work to implement the “objectives” of “6+5”. UEFA had proposed alternative quotas based on where players were developed rather than their nationality – proposals that would adhere to EU employment law. In other decisions, the Congress formally accepted the revised World Anti-Doping Agency drug code and changes to the qualifying criteria for players switching nationalities, defined its principles of promotion and relegation in national leagues to ensure it is based on sporting and not financial merits, approved a revised budget for 2007-2010 period, and agreed to hold next year's Congress in the Bahamas. Blatter also outlined his proposal to hold the votes for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups at the same time – most likely in 2011. – AP __
