The report endorsed the UEFA rule by which a minimum number of players in a team should be trained within that club or the same league.
“The parliament calls on the member states and sports associations not to introduce new rules that create direct discrimination based on nationality, such as FIFA's 6+5," the resolution said. “It calls on the Commission to recognise the legality of measures favouring the promotion of players who have come through training schemes, such as a minimum number of locally-trained players, irrespective of their nationality.”
MEPs voted 518 votes to 49 in favour of the report, backing up UEFAs view that Blatter’s proposal contravenes EU rules on the free movement of workers. They warned that Blatter’s proposed ‘gentleman’s agreement’ with individual associations would risk future legal challenge in the European Court of Justice, akin to the 1995 Jean-Marc Bosman case.
Dutch MEP Toine Manders said: “In the jungle of sport we need clear legal guidelines. If you ask if these gentleman's agreements will hold, you are very wrong. We are talking about big business, powerful clubs who will go to court if necessary. Mr Blatter will only open up another pandora's box like Bosman.”
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