Uefa Introduce New Europe Rule

Uefa have introduced a new rule for all clubs competing in the Europe as from the 2006/2007 football season that makes them include at least four 'homegrown' players in their squad.

The players have to be aged 15-21 in order to qualify for the 'homegrown' rule and must have been either conditioned by the club's academy or by another club in the same country.

This will give young Red Devils including Chris Eagles, Kieran Richardson and Sylvain Ebanks Blake a chance to shine at one of the biggest football stages.

Clubs have been criticized for giving "overpaid foreigners" their chance in Europe rather than fielding a player who has raised through the ranks at the club's academy and youth squads.

Uefa chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson stated: "We think the proposal is a reasonable compromise based on all the consultations we have had,".

"Although we have had negative responses from some leagues and some bigger clubs in those leagues, all the others involved have been very supportive of this idea."

"We also think the proposal is legal, because it is a sporting rule, not as a restriction, to develop and promote young players."