Blatter to continue fighting for restriction of foreign players in Premier League

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Having vowed to torpedo Premier League plans to hold matches overseas, Blatter insists he is equally bent on forcing top-flight teams to start every match with at least six England-qualified players.

Pulling strings: Curtains for foreigners if Blatter has his way

World football's top administrator believes this will eventually break the stranglehold of the so-called 'big four'.

Blatter said in the Daily Mirror: "In England, you have just four teams, maybe five, who are there fighting for the title and qualification for European competitions.

"All the other clubs are simply playing not to get relegated. They are just sparring partners. That's not enough.

"It is not only England. The situation is the same in France, Spain and Germany. A young player entering a big club has no more motivation that they can move through the ranks to play in the first team, because the manager will just go and buy players on the free market. The clubs do not try to educate players.

"You have to remember the origins of the game was local, the team was from a local area. Then it became regional. But now we have to maintain it so that it is national, so that the clubs do not become an international ensemble like artists in a show.

"No. Keep the national identity. If you do keep that national identity, you have other advantages."

Blatter added: "The first advantage is that the population where the club is playing can identify with that club. This idea will balance the leagues and enhance the quality of the national team.

"Go to any country and ask the population if they like their national team. They do like the national team, like the anthem, the national colours and the flag and to be together."

Blatter plans to secure the agreement of FIFA's 208 member associations in Sydney in May.

After warning the Football Association they risked losing the bid for the 2018 World Cup if the Premier League went ahead with an 'international round' of matches, English football's governing body will be under pressure to vote in favour of Blatter's 'six plus five' rule.

In order for a cap to be legal, FIFA will need the European Union to agree to make sport an exception to its employment laws, which guarantee freedom of movement for its citizens.