The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) website today reported that the FIFA Congress had voted in favour of supporting the objectives of the 6+5 proposal. So what exactly is the 6+5?

Background
The 6+5 aims to return harmony and balance between national team football and club football. A loss of ‘national identity’ in football clubs has led to problems with national football as well as increasing inequality in club football. There are currently wide financial and sporting gaps between the two, reduced competitiveness in club football and increased predictability of their results.

It also aims to safeguard the education and training of young players, training clubs and the values of effort and motivation in football, particularly for young players.

How 6+5 Works
Basically, at the beginning of a match, each club must field at least 6 who are players eligible to play for the national team of the country of the club. However, there is no restrictions:

(i) on the number of non-eligible players under contract with the club
(ii) on substitutes (so potentially it could be 3+8 at the end of a match)

Implementation
It is suggested that the 6+5 be implemented in stages, starting with 4+7 (2010-2011), 5+6 (2011-2012) and finally 6+5 (2012-2013).

Source: FIFA