Brussels, 01/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - At the informal meeting in Biarritz on 26-27 November, the 27 European Sports Ministers signed a joint declaration calling on the European Commission to examine whether having a certain number of players of the nationality of the club is compatible with European law, said French Secretary of State for Sport Bernard Laporte. This declaration runs along similar lines to the “6+5” rule adopted by FIFA (Fédération International de Football Association) in May, but falls foul of the European free movement of persons, internal market and competition rules. Ministers also agreed to set up a framework for consultation with the International Olympic Committee and the sports movement within the EU from 2009, and to give thought to a system that combines educational and sports studies. Ministers could not, however, reach agreement on a framework for monitoring clubs' management and finances. UEFA President Michel Platini called on the Commission to adopt guidelines for the sport which would allow it to comply with the law but not have its autonomy jeopardised, arguing that “sporting fairness and balance within competitions cannot be subject to the arbitrary laws of the market”. In a press release, Commissioners Jan Figel, who is responsible for sport, and Vladimir Spidla, for social affairs, said they were aware of the need to bring more balance to the game of football, but repeated that the “6+5” rule is “based on direct discrimination on the grounds of nationality”. As regards the transfer of players under the age of 18, “the Commission shares the concerns expressed by sports stakeholders about the protection of minors”. The commissioners said that issues of organisation are for the sports bodies themselves, “as long as their rules are compatible with EU law”. The Commission has said that it is ready to work closely with stakeholders to try to find solutions to the problems. (I.L./transl.rt)