Players' Association Wants UEFA To Mandate Club's Use 'Homegrown' Players

The Professional Footballers' Association plans to send proposals to UEFA "calling for European teams to use at least three 'homegrown' players in starting XIs," according to Alistair Magowan of the BBC. The union will discuss the issue at its annual general meeting on Wednesday amid concerns BT Sport's record £897M ($1.4B) European TV deal "could increase pressure on managers to use ready-made players rather than youngsters." European Union laws "have prevented previous attempts to introduce quota systems." The PFA hopes a Europe-wide plan for the inclusion of three players educated by the club for three seasons between the ages of 16 and 21, and regardless of nationality, "would avoid potential legal problems" (BBC, 11/12).