Robson Backs '5 Foreign Players' Rule!

Last updated : 08 November 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Sir Bobby Robson: "Whether FIFA can win the battle to implement this five-player limit, I don't know, but it's a battle worth fighting.

"We need to keep the door open for more English players to play in the Premiership.

"What's got to happen is that our academies, which every club has, have got to function better.

"We've got to find better young players, better coaches, good facilities, maximise our time and produce some good English players over the next few years.

"FIFA's plan will certainly help the development of English players, which is what we need to develop a strong and successful England team.

"That's the one thing that will stop this huge influx of foreign players.

"It won't stop it entirely, as the big clubs will still look for star players regardless of where they're from, but we have to produce more of our own.

"As an England manager, you're always hopeful of producing a solid, entertaining and successful England team.

"At present the opportunities for English players to come through are limited, even negligible.

"I was shocked to read that in the Champions League there are more Scottish players than English ones!

"Scotland only has five million people but they have more players in the world's top competition than we do. It's just insane."