Following the report of the all-party parliamentary football group of the UK House of Commons and House of Lords and their recommendations on the 6+5.
“In my capacity as FIFA President, I would like to express our satisfaction to the All-Party Parliamentary Football Group in the United Kingdom (comprising 150 members, chaired by Alan Keen MP) , for recommending yesterday that The Football Association and respective English Leagues adopt the FIFA-proposed 6+5 rule.
This report represents another important contribution to the ongoing debate as well as a new mark of support towards the cause we are advocating.
These recommendations are based on the need to protect national teams, promote youth development, safeguard and encourage clubs investing in training domestic talent, restore the competitiveness of competitions, and reach an harmonious development of football world-wide.
In May 2008, the FIFA Congress in Sydney voted with an over-whelming majority in favour of a resolution on the 6+5 rule.
It is important to make clear that FIFA has always been in favour of a step-by-step introduction of the 6+5 rule, ensuring that clubs have time to adjust the composition of their teams over a period of several years.
FIFA has stressed previously that it wishes the 6+5 rule to be developed through a process of consultation, and this includes FIFA´s respect of existing legislation.
During the past year I have been encouraged by the support of a growing number of football associations, prominent football personalities, the IOC and other sporting organisations around the world.
In addition, representatives of the EU Member-States, in particular during the meeting of the EU Ministers of Sport in Biarritz last November, and other European institutions have also expressed their support of the same principles.
Moreover, the recently-released INEA legal analysis concluded that this rule is not incompatible with EU law.