I honestly don't believe this is in an issue about the number of foreign players in any one league or team. I believe this is more about the fact that FIFA & EUFA are once again worried that European football is starting to be dominated by English Teams.
As we all know, English teams we're winning everything in sight during the 80's and it took a unjustified and unprecidented decision to kick out ALL English sides after the Heysel Disaster to level the playing field again, and putting the English game back nearly a decade. That decision was not about English hooliganism as was originally claimed, but because of the political pressure placed on FIFA & EUFA by opposing, and subsequently suffering Football Associations. I suspect something similar is at work here...
You only need to look at the competition's final stages over the last few years for proof that the balance of power has once again shifted. In the last 4 years, Liverpool have been to the final twice and won once. Arsenal followed Liverpool to the Final in 2006, and we all know what happened this year - 4 EPL teams in the Quaters, 3 in the Semi's and two in the Final..!! I can't imagine that the Italian or Spanish "Giants" are happy with such a scenario and will likely be complaining to their respective Associations to ensure that this situation doesn't leave them without valuable CL revenue. What else can FIFA do..? The EPL is clearly the league in Europe with the most foreign players. By restricting their usage, FIFA will be leveling the playing field once again. The majority of Spanish & Italian teams already consist of home grown talent, and thus the advantage will invariably shift back to the likes of Milan, Barcelona & Real Madrid, and is likely to remain so for years to come. Let's face it, the flow of English talent is not exactly brimming at clubs such as Liverpool, Chelski or Arsenal...
As we all know, English teams we're winning everything in sight during the 80's and it took a unjustified and unprecidented decision to kick out ALL English sides after the Heysel Disaster to level the playing field again, and putting the English game back nearly a decade. That decision was not about English hooliganism as was originally claimed, but because of the political pressure placed on FIFA & EUFA by opposing, and subsequently suffering Football Associations. I suspect something similar is at work here...
You only need to look at the competition's final stages over the last few years for proof that the balance of power has once again shifted. In the last 4 years, Liverpool have been to the final twice and won once. Arsenal followed Liverpool to the Final in 2006, and we all know what happened this year - 4 EPL teams in the Quaters, 3 in the Semi's and two in the Final..!! I can't imagine that the Italian or Spanish "Giants" are happy with such a scenario and will likely be complaining to their respective Associations to ensure that this situation doesn't leave them without valuable CL revenue. What else can FIFA do..? The EPL is clearly the league in Europe with the most foreign players. By restricting their usage, FIFA will be leveling the playing field once again. The majority of Spanish & Italian teams already consist of home grown talent, and thus the advantage will invariably shift back to the likes of Milan, Barcelona & Real Madrid, and is likely to remain so for years to come. Let's face it, the flow of English talent is not exactly brimming at clubs such as Liverpool, Chelski or Arsenal...
His armband proved he was a 
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