| "The reality is that in today's leagues
the ready-made player is sought after," Blatter said Monday at
the 55th FIFA Congress. "Where are the other players? On the bench
or in the stands. There is a loss of local, regional and national identity.
There are 11 players from different lands playing in one club."
The problem will be address by a task force that was overwhelmingly
approved Monday. It also will deal with such issues as political interference,
autonomous leagues and multi-ownership of clubs.
The FIFA meeting voted 198-1 in favor of the task force, which will
be named "For the Good of the Game." Blatter said the spending
power of elite clubs in Europe has increased the gulf between rich and
poor. "The rich use everything on the market," Blatter said.
"This promotes an exodus of African players."
He urged governments to pressure national soccer federations to help
develop local talent.
"The forming of young players has been abandoned," Blatter
said. "Governments should help football by organizing national
federations. We need to resolve this problem through dialogue."
Blatter repeated his opposition to using television replays to resolve
offside decisions or rule whether the ball has crossed the goal line.
"Let's make sure football retains a human face," he said.
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