Brussels - The European Parliament on Thursday called on governments and sports associations to bloc FIFA plans aimed at promoting the use of home-grown players by football clubs.

In a report approved by the assembly, MEPs said FIFA's so-called 6+5 rule would discriminate players on the basis of their nationality.

Instead, lawmakers said they preferred measures designed to favour the use of a minimum number of locally-trained players.

"MEPs call on (European Union) member states and sports associations not to introduce new rules that will create discrimination on the basis of nationality, such as the rule of 6+5," they said.

The EP's report came just one day after world football supremo Joseph Blatter said he did not foresee a conflict with the European Union over his plans to force professional clubs to field at least six players from the club's nation and no more than five foreigners in the starting line-up.

"I would not go into a struggle against existing laws. 6+5 is not against any EU laws ... The principle of 6+5 does not go against free movement in Europe. We protect other EU laws such as fair competition and (anti-) monopolization," Blatter said during a media conference call Wednesday.

EU rules about the freedom of movement of individuals have lead to a number of rulings forcing football to end all foreign-player restrictions. This has resulted in clubs like England's Arsenal fielding no English player at all in most matches. (dpa)