Blatter - Six-plus-five possible

Fifa president Sepp Blatter insists the controversial six-plus-five rule is compatible with European law.

Blatter is keen to see the proposal, which would limit the number of foreign players club sides can field, implemented in the not too distant future.

The idea has been a topic of much discussion for some time, with the European Union strongly opposing the plans.

The EU feel the introduction of such a scheme would violate laws regarding freedom of movement for workers.

However, Blatter insists that is not the case and remains keen to put his plans into action.

"We have been working in the past on different levels and we have now attacked or at least considered the one which is a very important one, the legal aspect," Blatter told a media conference screened by Fifa's official website .

"We have mandated a European agency and they have hired specialists in European law to have an expert opinion on the six-plus-five.

"This has been now delivered and at least what we can say is our approach is not incompatible with European law. This is what they say."

Objective

Blatter claims the rule is important for the protection of young, up-and-coming players who can become disillusioned if their route to the first team is continually blocked by foreign stars.

"The final objective of the six-plus-five is not only to finally field six players qualified to play for the national team, but more all round," he added.

"It is the protection of young players, education of young players, and the motivation of young players to come and play football and not to be disappointed because they have now a chance to play in the first team."

The Fifa supremo also feels that the EU have too much influence over sport.

He added: "Can you imagine if all political entities in the world could make the same intervention in sport as the European Union? There would be no international sport. It's not possible.

"What we are working on is the autonomy of sport. Sport has to be organised according to laws, but national laws.

"Those in sport represent their nation, they don't represent Europe."