On Monday, August 23, a general meeting of RPL clubs will take place, at which the draft reforms proposed by the Russian Football Union will be discussed. As it became known to the media, within its framework, it is planned to consider issues such as changing the league system, developing club academies, building schools and training coaches. One of the central and most resonant topics was the possible cancellation or change of the limit on legionnaires.

A few days ago, a draft transformation was published on the network, which the RFU sent out for review to representatives of the RPL. And the main attention in it was paid to the previously not widely discussed changes in the format of the championships proposed by Hypercube analysts, namely the allowable number of foreigners in the application. The arguments are that Russian footballers have no need to compete for a place in the squad with strong foreign players, no incentive to go abroad and play in the strongest leagues in Europe, as well as an unreasonably high level of salaries for domestic players due to their increased value in the local market. As a result, all this leads to a decrease in the level of the championship.

As confirmation of the lack of motivation among domestic footballers to try their hand abroad, according to media reports, information is provided on the number of direct transfers from the RPL to the top 5 European Championships over the past five years. In total, there were as many as 43 - on a par with Denmark, while only four players represented the national team of their country. For comparison, the same Scandinavians had significantly more of them - 24. It was also noted that Russian players go to foreign championships at a much more mature age (25.8 years on average) - almost two years later than their closest competitors for this indicator - Chekhov (23.9). First place is taken by the Austrians, whose athletes are usually ripe for a move as early as 21 years old.

Thus, the RFU smoothly led to the conclusion that the abolition of the limit on foreign players could have a positive effect on the development of the Russian championship, giving arguments in its favor.

In particular, an increase in the level of competition and motivation, a decrease in the level of salaries of domestic athletes and the ability to invite promising foreigners for the purpose of their subsequent resale.

At the same time, means of protection are provided against the complete absence of Russians in the applications of RPL teams for the season.

Thus, it is proposed to use the experience of the largest leagues in Europe and use the so-called “17 + 4 + 4” system.

According to her, eight homegrown football players are required to be in the application.

Moreover, four of them should be pupils of the local association, and the same number - the club itself.

However, their presence on the field is not regulated, which can also make them progress.

In order to prevent the mass arrival of low-quality players from abroad to Russia, the RFU proposes to introduce qualitative selection criteria by analogy with those introduced in England.

Namely, to take into account the number of matches played for the national team, in the top championships and European cups.

For this, a potential legionnaire will be awarded points, and reaching a certain level will open the way for him to the Russian Premier League.

And if a foreigner does not meet the specified criteria, his case can be considered by a special commission on an individual basis.

This body will determine whether a given footballer meets the championship level.

Unsurprisingly, the last point raised questions from some of the league's clubs.

Spartak praised some of the proposed reforms, but criticized the establishment of a special committee.

“There are also unfortunate moments. First of all, we are talking about the idea of ​​introducing quality criteria for legionnaires and at the same time creating a commission that will accept exceptions if the legionnaire does not meet the criteria. Such a scheme is fraught with corruption risks, because again everything will be decided by the human factor. What is this commission? Who will determine its composition? The Hypercube consultants had a sensible suggestion to use a carrot and stick system - to reward those who will develop youth, while adding additional payments to those who want to use more legionnaires. It is not clear why they decided to leave this model. In the indicated time frame, "Spartak" will formulate its position and bring it in the appropriate order to the leadership of the league, "- RBC quotes the general director of" Spartak "Yevgeny Melezhikov.

As for the limit, as it became known to "RB Sport", at the meeting of the RPL clubs will be discussed not only its cancellation, but also a possible transformation.

At the moment, it is known about two formats - "7 + 4" (there can be seven foreigners on the field, there is no limit on their number in the application) and "10 + 15" (there can be no more than ten athletes from abroad in a team, but they can all play).

As far as it is known, the Russian Football Union itself is in favor of canceling the limit on foreign players, but it is unlikely that it will be able to immediately obtain consent from all representatives of the league.

At least, we are talking about the president of the "Ural" Grigory Ivanov, who has recently repeatedly spoken out against the lifting of restrictions.

“I have not yet seen the document prepared by the RFU.

It is necessary to analyze it, but it is embarrassing that we change something so often.

We haven't played for two years with the current limit, but now we want to remove it.

They are already laughing at us.

But I see no point in canceling it.

They just remember him every time the Russian national team fails at major tournaments.

But without a limit, there will be no players at all for her.

And I think that the national team is more important, as it unites the inhabitants of the whole country.

Therefore, I am against canceling the limit, "Izvestia quotes Ivanov.

Some representatives of the sports community share this opinion.

So, the former midfielder of the Russian national football team, Vladimir Bystrov, is confident that the cancellation of the limit will lead to a sharp decrease in the playing practice of local athletes.

“They canceled and brought in all sorts of black, white, gray footballers, of any color, and they will play, while ours will sit ... You know how our clubs work in this market.

Complete cancellation without any sanctions - it will be a guard.

For example, you bought a legionnaire, paid this amount to children's football, develop a school.

Then yes.

Buy at least ten legionnaires.

Then you will approach this qualitatively, you will look after them so that they do not just run anyhow and take someone else's place.

And then ours will compete, "- quotes Bystrov" Match TV ".

State Duma deputy Nikolai Valuev has a similar attitude to the abolition of the limit on legionnaires.

The ex-world boxing champion believes that this decision will have an extremely negative impact on the national team.

“The complete abolition of the limit on foreign players will definitely kill the Russian national team - this must not be allowed.

It will no longer be the Russian national team, but the naturalized national team of legionnaires.

The incomprehensible games of the Russian national team are a problem of the system of our football, the limit on foreign players has nothing to do with it.

Legionnaires will not become Russian players, they will not bring competition at the national team level.

Yes, it will be useful for club football, for their performance in European competitions, but definitely not for the national team, ”Sport24 quotes Valuev.

At the same time, he noted that it is necessary to regulate the process of educating young and competitive footballers and to make them “develop and not be afraid to leave for Europe”.

And also to ensure that the salaries correspond to the "quality of work".

The question is, is it possible to provide such a thing under a hard cap. For example, the general director of Sochi, Dmitry Rubashko, believes that it is precisely the abolition of artificial restraints that will contribute to positive changes.

“Cancellation of the limit should definitely lead to the fact that the players will compete.

A free market in relation to competition will give a positive.

Now the salaries of Russian players are overestimated.

And if there is competition, Russian players will strive to be better.

Those legionnaires who will come must be on the level, and the Russian players must take an example from them, have a positive effect on them.

The reforms that are now continuing in our football will certainly bear fruit.

If you take Zenit, Dynamo and Krasnodar, there are already pupils who are currently showing quality football on a par with the legionnaires, "Rubashko told the Championship.

Nikita Bazhenov, the former Spartak forward, who managed to catch a period without a limit on foreigners in Russian football, agrees with him.

He stated that he was completely against him.

“It won't get any worse. We have the same people as everywhere else: a 16-17-year-old footballer in Russia is the same as in any other country, but we are not integrated into the European market, we have our own path. People in Serbia and Denmark under 20 understand very well that they need to go to the top 5 (championships -

RT

), they strive there with all their might and agree to any option, but we do not have that. It's all in the head, in the mentality: "We need to leave." This is not the case, because it seems to everyone that it is good here too. But if we take the level of football, especially the current one, it is obvious that everything is bad here. You need to change the landmarks in your head, and this is a difficult story. In Serbia and Denmark, the young footballer does not admit the thought that there is no need to go to Europe, they understand that this is a necessary step, there is a super game there, ”Bazhenov said.

The newly-made head coach of the Russian national team Valery Karpin also agrees with him.

The former “Rostov” mentor admitted that he had not studied the project himself, but his opinion regarding the limit had long been formed.

“You all know my attitude to the limit.

It has not changed since 2008.

If they don't win the competition here, let them play in Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland.

Or let them win, ”the specialist is sure.