England head to Kazakhstan this Saturday for a World Cup Qualifier knowing that the one and only time they met before the Three Lions won 5-1.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has postponed implementing his controversial ‘six plus five’ plan for at least another year.

Blatter is keen to push through the proposal which would prevent clubs from selecting more than five foreign players in their starting XIs.

But Uefa have raised concerns that the proposed ruling could break European labour laws.

Fifa now plan to spend a further year investigating the legality of the scheme and are awaiting further developments in the European Union (EU).

Speaking at Fifa’s congress, Blatter said: “They (EU experts) are no longer saying it would be illegal, they are saying we can ask ourselves the question whether it would be legal or illegal – that’s a huge step forward.”

The Fifa president also said that the Treaty of Lisbon, if ratified, could give sport a special status that could allow players to be exempt from labour laws.

“If we get that by end of the year – then next year we will be able to announce that we were on the right path and can begin implementing it,” he said, adding that laws could also be challenged.

“If there is the political will a law can be amended, a law can be interpreted, all laws can be changed or amended,” Blatter added.

Blatter believes some countries are looking to reduce the number of foreign players in their sides and he singled out Spain for praise.

He said: “Something is happening. If you look at Spain they have the Champions League winners and are reigning European champions.

“Six plus five doesn’t exist as a problem in Spain – that shows you can play with home-grown players and some foreigners.”

England head to Kazakhstan this Saturday for a World Cup Qualifier knowing that the one and only time they met before the Three Lions won 5-1.

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