LONDON (AP):

A BRITISH government minister has called for restrictions on the number of foreigners playing in the Premier League.

Andy Burnham, the culture, media and sport secretary, said he is prepared to lobby for a change in European Union law if it serves the interests of the England national football team.

"There is an argument for a system of quotas, both in terms of supporting the national team and helping to secure more equal competition within the Premier League," Burnham said in yesterday's edition of the London Times newspaper. "I would be quite prepared to go to Europe and say this is our proposal, let's see if we can get clearance for this. Ultimately, sport is about national teams. European law should recognise the special nature of sport and be applied sensitively."

Quota illegal

FIFA has proposed a quota system that would force teams to start matches with a minimum of six homegrown players. The scheme has the personal backing of FIFA president Sepp Blatter, and an overwhelming majority of delegates at FIFA's last annual conference voted in favour of the idea.

However, any quota system would be illegal under current EU law, which guarantees citizens the right to work in any member state.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who frequently selects sides without any English players, was also fiercely critical of the plan, saying it would "kill" the Premier League while doing nothing to help the England team.