• Four domestically-developed players to be part of all squads
• Lord Mawhinney praises 'foresight' of chairmen after vote
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 18 December 2008 13.15 GMT
Football League chairmen have voted to bring in a new rule that would require their clubs to field four 'homegrown' players in every 16-man match day squad. The regulation was brought in at a special extraordinary general meeting of the 72 clubs at Derby this morning and will come into effect from the beginning of next season.
"I would like to compliment Football League clubs for having the foresight to make changes that will benefit the wider game," said Lord Mawhinney, the Football League chairman. "League clubs are at the forefront of developing young playing talent for the domestic game and are investing more than £40m a season in this important area. As a result of today's vote, those players being developed will have a greater chance to demonstrate their talent at first-team level."
The four homegrown players will have to have been registered domestically for a minimum of three seasons before their 21st birthday. They can, however, be of any nationality.
The rule is in line with the approach favoured by Uefa rather than the 'six-plus-five' approach being proposed by Fifa.
• Lord Mawhinney praises 'foresight' of chairmen after vote
guardian.co.uk, Thursday 18 December 2008 13.15 GMT
Football League chairmen have voted to bring in a new rule that would require their clubs to field four 'homegrown' players in every 16-man match day squad. The regulation was brought in at a special extraordinary general meeting of the 72 clubs at Derby this morning and will come into effect from the beginning of next season.
"I would like to compliment Football League clubs for having the foresight to make changes that will benefit the wider game," said Lord Mawhinney, the Football League chairman. "League clubs are at the forefront of developing young playing talent for the domestic game and are investing more than £40m a season in this important area. As a result of today's vote, those players being developed will have a greater chance to demonstrate their talent at first-team level."
The four homegrown players will have to have been registered domestically for a minimum of three seasons before their 21st birthday. They can, however, be of any nationality.
The rule is in line with the approach favoured by Uefa rather than the 'six-plus-five' approach being proposed by Fifa.
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