Ferguson dismisses quota calls

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has dismissed calls for a foreign player quota to be imposed in the Premier League.

England’s failure to qualify for Euro 2008 prompted what Ferguson describes as “hysteria” and a long-running inquest into their dismal campaign, with many commentators claiming a lack of English talent has been caused by the number of foreign players employed by teams.

However, the Scot said: “There has been some criticism in the media of the Premier League with a call for quotas to guarantee English players starting places in teams.

“I did not start the final of the Champions League with six Englishmen because I was making a political statement. I did it because they’re good enough to win the European Cup.”

He added: “It is nonsense to say that England does not have players capable of competing on the international stage.

“The hysteria surrounding England’s non-qualification for Euro 2008 does not create the right atmosphere for good decision-making.”