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Usually there is method in Sepp Blatter’s madness. But I am struggling to work out what is behind his desire to drive through his 6 plus 5 plan in the face of huge legal obstacles.

The FIFA Congress in Sydney may have voted in favour of the objectives behind Blatter’s proposal, but the plan is a long way from fruition. Already, today, the European Union has reiterated its opposition, saying the proposal contravenes European labour laws.

Just as the Bosman ruling led to the abandonment of the old ‘three foreigners’ rule in 1995, so the 6 plus 5 rule could be wiped out by a legal challenge in the European courts. Blatter, the canniest of FIFA presidents, is well aware of that. But he is playing a risky game by throwing down the gauntlet to the EU in such an aggressive manner.

One explanation for Blatter’s strategy is that he is hoping for some sort of legal compromise. But the tone of the EU’s language suggests there will be very little scope for compromise. A bolder way of getting round the problem would be for sport to be made an exemption from EU law. But here, again, the EU has shown little enthusiasm for a change.

Blatter may be hoping to enlist the support of European political leaders in an attempt to persuade the EU to change. Here the bidding process for the 2018 World Cup could work in his favour. With England going head to head with Russia, Spain and a joint bid from Holland and Belgium, there will certainly be lots of high-profile figures in those countries willing to do almost anything to curry favour with FIFA.

This weekend, England are playing a friendly in Trinidad & Tobago at great expense as part of the opening shots of the Football Association’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup. It’s been suggested that the FA are trying to capture the vote of Jack Warner, the controversial president of CONCACAF and no stranger to these pages. I don’t think the FA are naive enough to think that they can secure Warner’s support so easily. It’s more likely that they are trying to neutralise Warner, who will back a USA bid, by ensuring that he does not criticise England in the way he has in the past.

More importantly, Warner and CONCACAF could be valuable allies when it comes to securing second preference votes for 2018. With China and Australia also launching bids, the bidding campaign will easily be the fiercest on record. There is also the added prospect, following a decision at the Sydney congress, that FIFA will decide upon the 2022 World Cup host at the same time. So England need all the support they can muster. Even if it means stooping to Warner’s level.

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