ACTUALITE |
18.07.2002
Serie A in immigration clampdown
ROME
The Italian first division has clamped down on Serie A clubs signing non-European stars like Brazil`s Ronaldo or Hidetoshi Nakata of Japan, it emerged here on Wednesday.
Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Franco Carraro announced that from August 31 clubs would no longer be able to call on the services of players from outside Europe`s borders - for the upcoming season at least.
"We anticipated the new law on immigration," Carraro explained.
"If we hadn`t acted there would have been 500 (overseas players) more. This is a good change for Italian football."
The new measures also include coaches from outside the EU and affects both Serie A and Serie B and it marks a radical change in policy as clubs had previously been allowed to recruit as many non-European Union players as they wished.
Last season, Roma had 12 non-EU players on their books.
"This is the right measure for football. I don`t pretend that it is shared by everyone, but I have been empowered to defend it tooth and nail. If we are to remain credible, then it is the way to go," added Carraro who admitted that the decision was a drastic measure.
The tough new stance was taken on the second day of the Italian football federation`s council meeting here.
The new rules received a lukewarm reception by leading figures inside the Italian game.
"I would have preferred a limited number," said Roma coach Fabio Capello.
"A foreign player arrives, another one comes in. If a well-known player from outside Europe wanted to play here, it would be beautiful to see him. But this new measure means that this would be impossible."
Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Juventus, believed that it would make little difference.
"At first sight, I would say that it will change little. This could be a good thing to limit the entries, but I believe that at the end of the day, little will change."
Players` representatives in Italy backed the move and said it would be a great boost to the national team.
"It will be good for football here," said Sergio Campana, the president of the professional players association.
"It will lead to greater opportunities for Italian players and create openings for them. We voted unanimously for it. A limit was needed," he said.
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