English clubs playing in the three levels below the Premier League voted on Thursday to create a rule forcing the inclusion of at least four so-called “homegrown” players in their match squads from next season.
The Football League, which governs England’s three professional divisions below the Premier League, said that a team’s 16-man squad will have to include at least four players who have been registered in the country for a minimum of three seasons prior to their 21st birthday.
That should all-but guarantee four English players in each squad, which could eventually boost attempts to develop better players for the national team.
“I would like to compliment Football League clubs for having the foresight to make changes that will benefit the wider game,” Football League chairman Brian Mawhinney said. “As a result of today’s vote, those players being developed will have a greater chance to demonstrate their talent at first-team level.”
Clubs have been criticised regularly for favouring often cheaper foreign players at the expense of developing local talent. The policy can bring instant success, but with the long-term effect that there is a smaller pool of eligible players for the national team.
Premier League clubs have borne the brunt of the criticism – choosing to hire from overseas instead of the lower leagues – but the second-tier League Championship is also full of overseas players. Birmingham, for instance, is second in the standings with a 28-man squad containing only 12 Englishmen.
Mawhinney said that the 72 league clubs were spending more than STG40 million ($A88 million) per season to develop English players.
The Football League rule for the 2009-10 season onward is in line with the approach favoured by UEFA, rather than the so-called “6+5” proposed by FIFA.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The A-League All Stars games last week and the press conferences around them had tongues wagging as men’s coach Patrick Kisnorbo and women’s coach…
Matildas linchpin Caitlin Foord has suffered a hamstring injury in a 1-1 draw against China in Friday night's women's football friendly. The Arsenal-based star…
There were literally seconds on the clock in stoppage time when Australia got the vital goal for a 1-all draw with China.
Zhang Linyan found the back of the net in the 30th minute.
The incredible rise of England midfielder Jude Bellingham looks likely to continue when Real Madrid head to Wembley for the Champions League final on…
The UEFA Champions League final will be held this weekend on Sunday, June 2 at 5am (AEST) with Borussia Dortmund up against the might of Real…
