UEFA president Michel Platini has called on the EU to “change its stance” and not impose “shaky and preconceived ideals” on sport at a summit in Biarritz on Friday.
Platini implored the EU’s 27 sport ministers to “help us [UEFA] convince the European Commission to adopt guidelines which allow us to respect European law without compromising our autonomy.”
Platini was speaking after the 27 ministers signed a joint declaration calling on the EC to study the compatibility of the controversial “6+5” proposal with European law.
“Sporting principles cannot be submitted to arbitrary market laws,” he said. “Europe must change its stance. It must use sport to inspire, rather than imposing its shaky and preconceived ideals upon it.”
The “6+5” rule, which is not yet in force but has the support of FIFA chief Sepp Blatter, would force European club teams to name a minimum of six home-grown players in their starting line-ups.
Despite Blatter’s backing, the rule would appear to contravene European employment law regarding the free movement of workers within the EU.
Platini also invited Europe to take firm action to ensure “financial fair play” and transparency of club management.
“UEFA cannot impose its licensing system upon [soccer federations] for their own competitions,” he said. “But what UEFA can do is reinforce and improve our system of granting licenses for our own club competitions.”
Platini went on to express his fears about the protection and training of young European players.
“Child trafficking exists in Europe and the world today,” he said. “In numerous European states there are very strict rules which prevent clubs from ‘poaching’ young players from the academies of their competitors, but these rules don’t exist on a European level.”
The former France international midfielder urged the EU to outlaw international transfers involving players under the age of 18.
The EU has authorized the transfers of players from the age of 16 since 2001 in accordance with its commitment to the free movement of people and workers.
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