Paris  - The European Union's sport ministers called Friday on the European Commission to study whether a proposed "6+5 rule" in football is compatible with European law.

Joseph Blatter, president of football ruling body FIFA, has been pressing for the rule which would force clubs to name a minimum of six home-grown players in their starting line-ups.

The ministers in Nice asked the Commission to look at "the compatability of a minimum requirement to field players eligible for the national team with European law," French sports minister Bernard Laporte said.

FIFA has been told the proposed rule would be illegal under EU law which allows free movement of workers within member states.

However Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini, who want football to develop more home-grown talent, are lobbying for sport to be exempt from some of the bloc's employment laws. (dpa)