LONDON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The Swiss official who heads soccer’s international governing body argues the number of foreigners on any team should be capped.
Sepp Blatter, head of the World Football Association, or FIFA, told the BBC a rule change would encourage teams to develop talent in their home countries and preserve their national identities.
The move could violate a 1995 court decision barring restrictions on the movement of players within the European Union. The ruling does not cover players from outside the union, allowing a cap of three non-EU players.
“You cannot consider a footballer like any normal worker because you need 11 to play a match -- and they are more artists than workers," Blatter argued. "When you have 11 foreigners in a team, this is not good for the development of football. Football has never had the courage to go against this practice but it must now."
In recent years, some of the greatest soccer players have joined foreign teams. David Beckham played for Real Madrid before joining a U.S. team.
