a4l
4-22-05, 12:45 PM
This is the most stupid rule I have ever encountered. Many teams will have trouble with this including: Real Madrid (who cares), Chelsea (looks good on them) and Arsenal (the rule is UNFAIR). I don't see any advantages to enacting this thing. To me this sort of parochialism went out long ago. :soapbox:
UEFA approves new 'local player' rule
Associated Press
4/21/2005
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) - A rule designed to increase the number of locally trained soccer players was unanimously approved by UEFA's 52 member federations Thursday.
Starting next season, clubs will be required to field a first-team roster of 25 players containing at least two players trained at their own academy. An additional two must come through systems of clubs from the same country.
Although the rule applies only to UEFA's competitions - including the Champions League and UEFA Cup - European soccer's governing body urged its members to adopt it in their domestic competitions.
The quotas, approved at UEFA's annual conference, will increase to four club-trained players and four from the home country in 2008.
The measure is an attempt to reverse the effects of a 10-year-old European Court decision outlawing limits on non-domestic players from within the European Union.
The Bosman ruling - named for the player who instigated the change - allowed wealthy teams such as Real Madrid to assemble talent from all over Europe and neglect the development of young players.
Smaller clubs also switched their attention overseas, finding it cheaper to employ players from regions such as Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.
UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson said some of Europe's wealthiest teams, such as Chelsea and Barcelona, balked at the new ruling because it will restrict their ability to field the best team possible.
Olsson didn't rule out the possibility of a court challenge.
''We know that there are a few clubs questioning the program, but we have also understood they are definitely a minority in their own leagues,'' Olsson said. ''You never know what will happen if it gets caught up in court, but we've had very positive feedback from the European Commission.''
Delegates also voted unanimously to extend by one year the tenure of UEFA's executive committee, which includes president Lennart Johansson.
The move means former Germany coach and captain Franz Beckenbauer will be able to challenge three-time European player of the year Michel Platini for president when Johansson steps down in 2007.
Beckenbauer is chairman of the organizing committee for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, ruling him out had the vote been scheduled next year.
Johansson said Beckenbauer had indicated that he was ready to run, but said Beckenbauer was still deciding.
Platini announced last month that he would seek the UEFA presidency when Johansson retires.
UEFA approves new 'local player' rule
Associated Press
4/21/2005
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) - A rule designed to increase the number of locally trained soccer players was unanimously approved by UEFA's 52 member federations Thursday.
Starting next season, clubs will be required to field a first-team roster of 25 players containing at least two players trained at their own academy. An additional two must come through systems of clubs from the same country.
Although the rule applies only to UEFA's competitions - including the Champions League and UEFA Cup - European soccer's governing body urged its members to adopt it in their domestic competitions.
The quotas, approved at UEFA's annual conference, will increase to four club-trained players and four from the home country in 2008.
The measure is an attempt to reverse the effects of a 10-year-old European Court decision outlawing limits on non-domestic players from within the European Union.
The Bosman ruling - named for the player who instigated the change - allowed wealthy teams such as Real Madrid to assemble talent from all over Europe and neglect the development of young players.
Smaller clubs also switched their attention overseas, finding it cheaper to employ players from regions such as Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.
UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson said some of Europe's wealthiest teams, such as Chelsea and Barcelona, balked at the new ruling because it will restrict their ability to field the best team possible.
Olsson didn't rule out the possibility of a court challenge.
''We know that there are a few clubs questioning the program, but we have also understood they are definitely a minority in their own leagues,'' Olsson said. ''You never know what will happen if it gets caught up in court, but we've had very positive feedback from the European Commission.''
Delegates also voted unanimously to extend by one year the tenure of UEFA's executive committee, which includes president Lennart Johansson.
The move means former Germany coach and captain Franz Beckenbauer will be able to challenge three-time European player of the year Michel Platini for president when Johansson steps down in 2007.
Beckenbauer is chairman of the organizing committee for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, ruling him out had the vote been scheduled next year.
Johansson said Beckenbauer had indicated that he was ready to run, but said Beckenbauer was still deciding.
Platini announced last month that he would seek the UEFA presidency when Johansson retires.