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MPs want cap on foreign players Limit foreign footballers say MPs
(about 3 hours later)
A group of MPs wants a limit on the number of foreign football players allowed in English teams. A group of MPs has called on football clubs to cut the number of foreign players in the English game.
The 23 MPs are bringing a motion to the House of Commons asking for the government to "discourage" clubs from recruiting overseas players. They want the government and football authorities to discourage clubs from recruiting so many overseas players.
But Conservative Euro MP Chris Heaton-Harris said the idea would break trade discrimination laws. A Commons motion, led by Liberal Democrat MP for Colchester Bob Russell, has been signed by 23 MPs who believe British players are being held back.
The number of foreign players in the Premier League has risen from 11 in 1992 to a current total of 331. However, Conservative MEP Chris Heaton-Harris said the idea would breach employment legislation.
Nottingham South MP Alan Simpson said UK clubs should have a minimum number of British players. National team
"It is perfectly reasonable to ask clubs to have at least three UK-born players on the park at any one time." The MPs' Early Day Motion raises concern at the increase in the number of overseas footballers playing in the Premier League and the Football League.
There is no way sport will get an exemption from employment law Chris Heaton-Harris, East Midlands MEP It is perfectly reasonable to ask clubs to have at least three UK-born players on the park at any one time Alan Simpson MP
Former Derby County striker Dean Sturridge said: "If they (foreign players) are playing in League One and League Two - you think 'wait a moment they are taking the opportunities of English players?'." It says in the Premier League's first year in 1992 there were 11 foreign players, compared to the current figure of 331 from 66 different countries.
But former footballer John McGovern, who led Nottingham Forest to two European Cup triumphs, said any attempt to cap the number of foreign players would be a restraint of trade. They add that foreign players in the top flight outnumber British ones, with 60% among the Premier League's 20 clubs from overseas.
He said: "Look at players like Wayne Rooney and Joe Cole - young players are always going to come through in the English game." The MPs believe the rise in the number of foreign players is not in the long-term interests of football in England and is harming the prospects of the national team.
Mr Heaton-Harris said: "There is no way sport will get an exemption from employment law."
Talent poolTalent pool
About 15% of places in Premier League academies are taken by foreign players. Nottingham South MP Alan Simpson, who has signed the motion, said clubs should have a minimum number of British players.
Derby County's youth academy has 15 players - with one each from Slovakia, Austria and Estonia. "It is perfectly reasonable to ask clubs to have at least three UK-born players on the park at any one time," he said.
Football Association boss Brian Barwick said recently that he is worried about the pool of talent available to the England team. But Mr Heaton-Harris said: "There is no way sport will get an exemption from employment law."
Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick said recently that he is worried about the pool of talent available to the England team.
But the Premier League has said it has invested a lot of resources in developing England stars of the future.But the Premier League has said it has invested a lot of resources in developing England stars of the future.