Clubs reject rule on foreign players

(AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Laurent Gillieron)

NYON, Switzerland(AP) Europe's best and wealthiest football clubs formally took sides Tuesday against FIFA's plan to restrict their use of foreign players.

Members of the new European Club Association - representing 103 teams from 53 nations - used their first business meeting to reject the so-called '6+5' rule proposed by Sepp Blatter, president of world football's governing body, to protect the national identity of clubs.

The rule would force clubs to start matches with at least six players eligible to play for the national team and a maximum of just five foreigners, despite European Union law on the freedom of movement of workers.

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