
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor has welcomed news that Premier League clubs are considering a quota system aimed at aiding youth development.
England's elite clubs are set to discuss the implementation of a scheme similar to that currently used in the UEFA Champions League where clubs must name at least four players within their matchday squad that have been developed in their academy structure and four more from within the same country.
Taylor would prefer to see a stricter regime implemented in the domestic game, but accepts that a system such as Fifa's 'six-plus-five', which has specific rules on nationality, would be difficult to implement.
In the current proposals a home-grown player would be considered one trained by a club for three consecutive years between the ages of 15-21, regardless of nationality.
Taylor said: "This is something we have been pressing for since we produced our Meltdown Report about 18 months ago. I'm pleased the Premier League have responded.
"I feel it is going to be very difficult because of European legislation, in spite of Fifa's confidence, to introduce their proposal. I don't think it would get through in legal terms and would be open to a legal challenge.
"Uefa's proposal, even though it doesn't go far enough, to have eight out of 25 squad players that have to be home-grown - irrespective of nationality - gives an opportunity to be on the same level playing field.
"I think that would answer any legal challenge because it is based on development of the next generation and doesn't have any national issues.
"I'd hope that because it is in England our youngsters would then get equal opportunity."
The influx of foreign players into the English game has often been cited as one of the reasons for the national team's lack of success.
Taylor agrees with this sentiment and is delighted to see clubs from across the Football League looking to resolve the problem.
He added: "The Football League have taken it further than that, to their credit. Their clubs have to have four out of the 16 on the teamsheet.
"Again that doesn't go as far as we would have liked but I think they aim to extend that in the future and they have started the process. It is now very pleasing to see the Premier League are thinking likewise.
"The Premier League and Football League combined offers us one of the finest structures in the world and we would like to see that reflected in some form of international success."

0 comments:
Post a Comment