UEFA insisted yesterday it would stand by its restrictions on foreign players ruled illegal by the European Court of Justice but was ready to discuss the matter with the European Commission.
European football's governing body proposed a meeting with the Commission after the Commission wrote Friday saying it must respect December's judgment in the wake of the Bosman affair ruling the European transfer system incompatible with EU labour laws.
"We received this letter from the Commission on Friday and have replied by proposing a meeting to see if there is a possibility of establishing common ground," UEFA general secretary Gerhard Aigner said. Aigner criticised the court's ruling as being "not good for football as it obliges national associations to apply law based on supra nationality".
He insisted UEFA had "valid arguments" which merited the retention of the three plus two foreigner rule. "Contrary to the interpretation made by many clubs represent their country in the European club cups. That is why the three plus two rule must stay in force," Aigner said. "But we are ready to discuss this aspect with the Commission."
Last week, the European Commission warned UEFA it must accept last month's European Court of Justice decision ruling the football transfer system illegal under European law or face tough sanctions including fines. FIFA secretary general Sepp Blatter immediately weighed in to condemn the ruling as unfair and contrary to the Treaty of Rome.
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