Milan challenge non-EU rule

Andriy Schevchenko is one of five players involved

AC Milan are threatening the Italian Football Federation (FIGC)with legal action unless they allow the Serie A side to field all five of their non-European Union players, following a court judgement in a separate matter.

Adriano Galliani, AC Milan's administrative delegate, made the threat in a letter sent to the FIGC and countersigned by the five players.

The Brazilian trio Dida, Serginho and Roque Junior, Croatian international Zvonimir Boban and Ukrainian striker Andriy Schevchenko are the players involved.

The move follows a court decision in Reggio Emilio, that ruled in favour of the submission of Nigerian player Ikpe Prince Ekong, who was barred from playing for his Serie C side Reggiana.

Rules

The rules in that division prevent clubs from fielding any non-EU players.

This effectively meant that Ekong could not play for Reggiana after they were relegated from Serie B, and he had to be farmed out to Slovenia and Mexico on loan.

The decision has opened the door for Serie A and B players to challenge their own regulations that limit the number of EU players in a starting line-up.

At the moment three non-EU players are allowed on the pitch in Serie A, and the amount of players in a squad is limited to five.

Other top Italian clubs will watch the situation with great interest, and the outcome could mean big changes at the top level of the Italian game.