Comments on: 6+5 and why we have to stop it

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:00:21 +0000

Johonna – I think you are right regarding the 4+4 thing. I thought there was something like that in place anyway.

Also Blatter wants to make Serie A more Italian, the EPL more English, La Liga more Spanish. But what he’s forgetting is that imports play a great part of this for some. Perhaps not the Italians, but certainly in England, part of being English is that we have such a multi-cultral society and it would be false if you took the foriegn players from this.

Besides, all it would encourege would be for Arsenal/Man United/Chelsea etc to pick up ten year olds who look talented then mould them over here.

By: Johonna

Johonna — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 07:27:45 +0000

Players became citizens of Italy all the time before they dropped the quota thing. It was not so rare and there were some very dubious papers being used.

The point is, Blatter’s rule does not and will not do what he wants it to – it will not protect the “nationalness” of teams or stop talent strip mining from Africa and South America. For Italy, all it will mean is that South American players will find more long lost Italian relatives (like Recoba). All it will do is make one more hoop for clubs to jump through before they field whomever they want anyway. It will not make the Serie A more Italian – whatever that means – or protect its national identity.

And it was my understanding that UEFA already has the 4+4 rule (or Home-Grown Players Rule) in place. It only applies to Champions League and UEFA cup games. I thought it was that clubs had to have 4 players trained by them on their roster this year, 6 next year, and 8 the year after where the rule caps. I dont remember anything about 4 players trained in your country – did I miss something or is that your addition?

By: Sporel

Sporel — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:28:57 +0000

The rule states 6+5 for domestic leagues, not international competitions. Big clubs are the only ones who could afford to still do those big transfers and sit them on the bench for domestic games. It would actually open up the gap between big clubs and others. So, CL after the group stage would not be affected much.

Eu would not allow it anyway. Blatter will probably move on to plan B, the compromise plan, soon.

By: mele419

mele419 — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:14:22 +0000

Johonna, Camo is a naturalized Italian though. So really, all players need to do to side-step this rule is to become a naturalized citizen of the nation. This would require a great desire and commitment to that club though, which would make it rare.

By: mele419

mele419 — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 01:08:09 +0000

OR, we can just leave things as they are because they are working just fine and everyone can stop bitching and Sepp can go fiddle with other things.

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 31 May 2008 13:50:19 +0000

alessio – 4+4 thing is a good idea I think, and comepletely workable. 4 players who were trained by you, regardless of nationality, and 4 players who were trained in your country regardless of nationality within the squad. This makes sense, because you don’t have to use them, but obviously you are giving yourself a big disadvantage if you don’t. So I think its a really good idea actually – although I think they have something similar in place already?

By: Johonna

Johonna — Sat, 31 May 2008 08:10:02 +0000

I think it is an important distinction to note that “players from their own country” are players that are eligible for the county’s national team. Who is eligible and who is not is a country by country thing, and is not necessary based on where a player was born or where he grew up. You only have to look at Italy for that: we have Camoranesi, an Argentinian who has an Italian grandfather so got a passport and plays for the Azzurri on one side, and Balotelli who was born and raised in Italy but to Ghanan parents so is not officially Italian and cant play for the national team. Under Blatter’s rule, Balotelli would not count as an Italian.

The whole idea is a mess.

By: alessio

alessio — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:40:32 +0000

I don’t like 6+5 (and it won’t happen), but I think Platini’s Uefa rule is a winner, the 4+4. It’s reasonable, it’s not as demanding, and best of all, it’s legal. Thoughts on it, Rob?

By: Blue Devil Brad

Blue Devil Brad — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:34:38 +0000

I’m not afraid of teams having to compete on an even playing surface – I’m afraid of the big G14+ clubs saying “We don’t have to compete on an even playing surface if we don’t want to.” If they don’t like the rules, they’ll take their ball and their TV money and play their own game on the continent. They’ve threatened it before, and 6+5 could be the rule to finally push them to do it.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:33:20 +0000

As much as I want all of the super-clubs in the world to die in a firey pit of humility. This initiative isn’t going to be very effective.

But it also won’t be nearly as harmful as you’re making it out to be. Since (as you pointed out) Manyoo already had 6 english starters in their top rotation then rule wouldn’t affect them at all. As long as they can create decent line ups with 6 english starters then they can have an entire foreign bench. Everyone also brings up the issue of the african or asian players clubs bring players into their youth systems because they believe they have the potential to possible be a first team contributor, once a kid is in the youth system then there is more then enough opportunity somewhere in europe if he has enough talent.

This entire thing is a non-issue except for fans who are afraid that their teams might actually have to compete on an even playing surface for once.