Sir Alex Ferguson, "It's certainly not wrong that clubs should be seen to have a proportion of home-based players. I totally agree (with Blatter) but it would be a problem for a club like Arsenal. That's why they'll protest the loudest. You want to protect your own, and there is nothing wrong with that. But, for the good of the game in England, it would be good to see more home-based players at the top clubs.
"United's critics would say `It's all right for you, you already have English players in your side'. But I think if you asked a neutral, they would rather see more home-based players. Under the present Treaty of Rome you couldn't make it law. It would have to be an agreement between the clubs. But if it went to a vote, I think it would get through [even though] there would be opposition from clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal, who have strong Spanish and French connections. It would certainly be a contentious issue but I agree with the principle of it."
Interviewed in the magazine 'Inside United' Ferguson also had something to say about agents in the game. "I think we need a tariff for agents that brings them in line with other professions, like lawyers or accountants. Agents need to be regulated in a far stricter way than they have been in the past. They are a very lucky breed because as long as you have greedy club presidents, agents will always be in the driving seat. But if world football recognises the need for regulation, that would make a real difference. The set up has to be more professional."
Richard Williams has a suggestion for how to make things more professional, in his Guardian blog he wrote:
'Ferguson was quoted yesterday as calling for restrictions to be placed on the activities of players' agents. "Agents have come to us many times before and they give you a transfer fee that they want," he said. "It's not directly linked to anything - and the figure is in millions. Agents need to be regulated in a far stricter way than they have been in the past."
'The solution is obvious. Managers should deal only with agents who happen to be their blood relatives - preferably their sons. Then the transfer fees could be set to suit the managers and their clubs and all would be right with the world.'