Fifa backs Blatter on quota plan

He wants to bring in the proposal by 2012/2013 - but the European Commission says it is discriminatory and illegal.

"The Fifa congress has merely backed Blatter to explore the idea - nothing more than that," said BBC sports editor Mihir Bose.

"The vote was about a wish list and does not represent any rule change."

Bose added: "There is no timescale on it either, so there is no knowing if and when this wish list would actually become a reality.

"This vote is exactly what Blatter told me he would do last week in Moscow, following a meeting with the Uefa executive.

606: DEBATE Blatter has an unwinnable fight on his hands BBC Sport's Phil McNulty

"But he is under no illusions that the Europeans are against it, and that this would fall foul of European law."

Speaking after the vote, which took place at the Fifa Congress in Sydney, Blatter declared: "The congress was very happy in a result of overwhelming majority, with 155 votes in favour and five against. 155 yes and five no.

"It is an overwhelming support to this resolution.

"The Fifa president has asked, together with the Uefa president (Michel Platini), to explore - and explore is not to discuss, it's to go in depth - within the limits of the law."

Blatter has a meeting with the EU on 5 June and he added: "Speaking about it is illegal? For whom? For when? If there is a law, a law can be amended."

But the Commission believes a quota on foreign footballers would be incompatible with European Union law which allows workers to move freely between member countries.

John McDonald is a spokesman for the European Commissioner for Sport and he told BBC Radio 5 Live he does not expect Blatter's ambitions to succeed on this front.

"It is a non-starter as far as we are concerned," he said.

"Interestingly the wording that Mr Blatter mentioned this morning at his press conference was that the resolution of Fifa is to explore within the limits of the law the six plus five rule.

"And they can explore as much as they like but unfortunately a six plus five rule is against Community legislation."

Blatter wants to restrict the number of foreign players in teams by the start in the 2010/11 season, with a minimum of four home-grown players.

He added he expects it to grow to six, with a maximum of five foreigners, by 2012/13 - and claims the plan has the backing of key European delegates.

In contrast, the "home-grown players" rule, which is set to be expanded from next season, has received EU backing.

That means four players in a Champions League or Uefa Cup squad must have been developed by the club, with another four having been produced by clubs from the same federation.

To be eligible, a player of any nationality must have been developed by the club for three years between the ages of 15 and 21.

Jan Figel, EU Commissioner for Education, Training and Youth, said Uefa's proposals did not discriminate against nationality and encouraged clubs to develop their academies.

"Measures which require the top European clubs to preserve quality training structures seem to me to be necessary," said Figel.

"The Uefa rule thus avoids the risk of professional football clubs abandoning training structures."

FA chief executive Brian Barwick is unconvinced by Blatter's strategy and he said: "It's about balance.

"We still believe in the meritocracy of players in the team on performance and on ability first and foremost."

Ferguson and Queiroz may still face action

he Manchester United manager and his assistant were charged over their criticism of referee Martin Atkinson and Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) general manager Keith Hackett after the 1-0 defeat to Portsmouth in the FA Cup.

They were found not guilty by an independent commission but reports later emerged that the main reason for them escaping action was a transcription error by the FA.

Queiroz had been transcribed as saying of Atkinson "that is my opinion of this robber today", when in fact he is believed to have said, "that is my opinion of his job today."

An FA spokesman has refuted suggestions that there was any such error, and confirmed that an appeal may be lodged.

However, the governing body will await receipt of the full judgement and 'written reasons' before considering further action.

"The charges were brought on more than just the issue of the word 'robber'," said an FA spokesman.

"At any disciplinary hearing the FA, as the prosecutor, argues its case, as does the defence.

Probability

"The fact that the commission found the charge was not proved does not mean that the FA made any errors in putting the case together.

"The commission has to make a decision based on the applicable standards of proof, which is balance of probability."

United had a claim for a penalty turned down in the clash with Pompey, before Atkinson awarded Harry Redknapp's side a spot-kick and sent off goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak after he had brought down Milan Baros.

Ferguson was furious after the game, saying: "Managers get sacked because of things like that and he's going to referee a game next week.

"He [Hackett] is not doing his job properly and he needs to be assessed.

"I'm assessed as a manager, players are assessed, referees should be assessed properly by the right people. That performance should not be accepted by our game."

Grant sacked

Grant was sacked on Saturday after the Chelsea board deemed a trophyless, near-miss season unacceptable.

The former Israel manager had been in charge at Stamford Bridge for just eight months and guided his side to within two points of the Premier League title and one penalty kick - missed by club captain John Terry - from winning the Champions League for the first time in the club's history.

"It's very, very unfair particularly because of the success he did," hissed Cohen.

"You know, John Terry should have scored the penalty and Chelsea would have been champions of Europe and Avram would have stayed, so you can't blame Avram Grant because John Terry missed a penalty."

The Blues have yet to identify who Grant's replacment will be, but they are said to have put together a shortlist consisting of Guus Hiddink, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Marcello Lippi and Mark Hughes.

Worst Final Ever (iz football DEAD??)

c'mon Guyz i may not b a fan of both teams but 4real that game was the worst match and boring finals i have ever come aclose. i beleive football iz not only winning trophies, it should be 90% entertainment and thats where the name FANS came from. We need talent in the game. I think ball possesion shud count so that teams can improve their tactics.....