Blatter Takes On Board Keegan Comments!

Last updated : 27 May 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor

Blatter, in Sydney for FIFA's annual congress, said rules restricting the number of foreign players each club can field could be in place from the start of the 2010/11 season, beginning with a four/seven quota.

He expects it to grow to six/five by 2012/13 - and claims the plan has the backing of key European delegates.

European Union and UEFA boss Michel Platini has legal concerns about the whole thing but Blatter will continue ... saying Man Utd are the perfect example.

Stressing that FIFA would proceed "within the limits of the law", Blatter said:

"It's to make sure that there is better balance in the competitions and not only three or four teams in a league of 18 or 20 are fighting to be the champion and all the others are just there to not be relegated.

"As (Newcastle manager) Kevin Keegan recently said: 'I can only start my season to fight to be fifth or sixth or seventh. It is impossible for me to go into the final four'.

"At the end of the Champions League in Europe you have in the quarter-finals four teams of the same association; in the semi-finals three of these teams.

"Then in the final you are surprised that you have two teams of the same association?

"We've just seen Manchester United's starting XI in Moscow with six players eligible for the English team on the pitch.

"And they won. Not bad."