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.
Hamburg - The concept of total football was nowhere to be seen, but Thursday night's 1-0 victory at SV Hamburg was a sign that Ajax Amsterdam are coming back to life.
Hamburg - A late strike from Filippo Inzaghi was enough to salvage a 2-2 draw for AC Milan away to Portsmouth in the UEFA Cup Thursday and book the Serie A side's place in the tournament's knockout stages.
