Germany plans restrictions on non-E.U. foreigners

The country's state interior and sports ministers plan to allow residence permits only to those non-E.U. foreigners signed by clubs from the top division. Saxony state is already practising the new regulation although the plans are still at the discussion stage, the Dresdner Morgenpost newspaper reported, quoting a statement from the state ministry.

The plan, which will affect all sports as well as football, is designed to give home-grown talent a better chance, Hans-Georg Moldenhauer, vice president of the German Football Federation (DFB) and German Sports Association (DSB), told mdr aktuell radio station. State interior ministers approved the scheme last May, and it was given further backing by sports ministers at a conference in October, but the plans were not published at the time.

Any change would not affect players or coaches already under contract. These would also be allowed to extend existing contracts. However club transfers would not be permitted. Germany's handball national coach Heiner Brand welcomed any change to the rules. "In my view it would be a very good thing as it would give young players in the second division a chance," he said.

(la/dpa)