FIFPro Opinion: 6+5 rule

FIFPro has some critical comments to make regarding the 6+5 rule. FIFPro is of the opinion that the sporting idea behind the proposal is a good one, but it doubts whether the 6+5 rule is feasible from a legal perspective. The Freedom of Movement principle, established by the European Commission in European legislation, probably blocks the introduction of the 6+5 rule. FIFPro advocates that European legislation be respected.

The world football association FIFA wants to protect the quality of national football teams, as well as the identity of clubs and the education and training of young players by those same clubs. FIFA wants to do this by restricting the number of ‘foreigners’ in competitions by introducing the so-called 6+5 rule. This rule stipulates that at least six of the eleven players who start a match for a club must be qualified to play for the national team of the association to which the club belongs.

Since this rule was in conflict with, amongst other things, European law, FIFA decided to add two exceptions in October 2009. The six players can now also include the following players:
 

• players, irrespective of their nationality, who have been registered for clubs belonging to the association in which the club plays, on a continuous basis since the age of 10 (12?) or earlier;
• players, irrespective of their nationality, who have played professional football for clubs belonging to the association in which the club plays on a continuous basis for five years since the age of 18.

FIFA wishes to introduce this rule gradually, starting with 3+8 in the 2011/12 season and eventually arriving at 6+5 in the 2014/15 season.

FIFPro represents thousands of professional footballers throughout the world, not only in Europe but also in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania. These players are not born as professionals. They require training. Good coaching and education are necessary for young players. For these reasons, FIFPro supports the idea of coaching and education taking place at the clubs. However, to become a good professional footballer, you have to play. A player’s education is only complete once he has played several years in the first team, preferably at the club where he was coached and educated. For these sporting reasons, FIFPro supports the 6+5 rule because it encourages clubs to play players which they themselves have raised.

However, professional footballers are employees for whom the principle of ‘Freedom of Movement’ must be respected. The Freedom of Movement principle stands in the way of the introduction of the 6+5 rule. Players are employees and FIFPro believes that all players/employees rights must be respected. FIFPro advises FIFA to continue looking for possibilities within the current legislation in order to ensure that the intended sporting aims of the 6+5 rule can be achieved.