Limit on foreign stars not illegal

Controversial plans by football's world governing body to limit the number of foreign players do not breach EU rules, an independent report declared on Thursday.

FIFA's so-called "6+5" rule has been overwhelmingly approved by 155 of the organisation's member nations, but dismissed as illegal by the European Commission and most EU governments because they say it amounts to discrimination at work and a restriction on the free movement of workers.

Now the Institute for European Affairs (INEA) - commissioned by FIFA itself to study the issue - claims the idea of restricting foreign players in league games does not fall foul of EU rules on free movement of workers. INEA chairman Professor Jurgen Gramke told a press conference in Brussels: "There is no conflict with European law."

He insisted the report, although commissioned by FIFA, was entirely independent.

"We took no instructions from FIFA," he added. "INEA accepted this commission on condition that our requirements of complete independence were met."

The report says that, under EU law, the "regulatory autonomy" of sporting associations is recognised and supported.

"The key aim of the 6+5 rule in the view of the experts is the creation and assurance of sporting competition.

"The 6+5 rule does not impinge on the core area of the right to freedom of movement. The rule is merely a rule of the game declared in the general interest of sport in order to improve the sporting balance between clubs and associations".

FIFA endorsed the rule in May last year, but six months later EU ministers said it clearly broke EU rules.

The 6+5 rule established that at the start of each match, a club must field at least six players who would be eligible for the national team of the country of the club.