War of the words as FIFA-EU battle over foreign player cap

ZURICH: FIFA president Sepp Blatter vowed on Monday to press ahead with controversial plans to restrict the number of foreign players in club soccer despite continued opposition from the EU Commission.

Blatter, whose '6+5' rule would limit teams to just five foreigner players in their starting line-ups, said he had been "satisfied" by an informal meeting in Biarritz that brought together top sports officials and European sports ministers.

Ministers signed a joint declaration to "encourage further discussion on initiatives put forward by international federations to encourage the teams... to develop the presence of athletes capable of qualifying for national teams, in compliance with EU law."