International

The SP is enthusiastic about FIFA's decision to apply a '6 + 5' rule, under which a minimum of six players from a club's own country and a maximum of five from abroad would be present on the field of play at any one time. The European Commission is seeking, however, to block this rule on the grounds that it is in conflict with the free movement of labour. “This is really ridiculous,” says SP Member of Parliament Renske Leijten, the party's spokeswoman on sport. “Is the European Commission going to start picking the teams? I urge the government to take a stand against this idiotic meddling from Brussels.”

The 6 + 5 rule is aimed at producing fairer competition between rich and poor clubs. “A club which invests in a good youth scheme can as things stand see its products bought up by rich clubs, so that investing in young players is becoming ever less rewarding. With this new measure, the training of young players will be given a boost, and that can only be good for football.”

The SP is calling on Secretary of State for European Affairs Frans Timmermans to do all in his power to bring the Commission to its senses. “The idea that the neoliberal rules of the internal market can be applied to football is completely absurd. A Dutch firm can sell bicycles in England, but Feyenoord can't go and play in the English Premier League. And when things are going badly for a club, real fans don't suddenly go to another with a better 'offer'. The EU is inclined to meddle in everything, but in this case it should keep its nose out.”