Plans by the Fifa president Sepp Blatter to force football clubs to field a majority of their nationals in their starting line-ups were wrecked today when the European Commission denounced the scheme as illegal and discriminatory.
In a severe blow to Blatter's proposals ahead of a Fifa congress in Sydney on Friday, Vladimir Spidla, the European Commissioner for employment, said any EU country where the Blatter "6+5" formula was applied would face legal action.
"The Commission is showing the red card to the 6+5 rule," said Spidla. "Professional footballers are workers."
The announcement effectively kills off the Fifa proposal.
Blatter has been lobbying hard for support for his radical and controversial quotas scheme which could change the face of the modern game. The scheme would compel clubs to have six players from their home countries in their starting 11. But the plan appears unworkable if not applied in Europe.
Earlier this month the European parliament voted by a margin of more than 10-1 against Blatter's plan. Yesterday's statement from the Commission represented a pre-emptive strike against the Fifa boss ahead of the Sydney congress which is to vote on 6+5.
Blatter has been seeking backing for his proposal by complaining about the Premier League's domination of the Champions League this year, arguing that his scheme would create a more level playing pitch internationally as well as in domestic competition.
Spidla countered that EU regulations on free movement of labour and non-discrimination had to be observed, meaning that there could be no team quotas based on ethnicity.
Mr Blatter and his sycophantic cronies on the various FIFA executive are said to be "all in favour" which really translates to say that no-one feels strong enough within FIFA to oppose the autocratic Blatter who is significantly out of touch with 21st century fans.
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