FIFA President Sepp Blatter intends to require soccer teams to field six domestic players as of 2010 "to protect the local identity" of teams . . . a step that would run afoul of EU laws barring discrimination based on nationality.

"Football is strong enough to organize itself, " Blatter told reporters today on a conference call from Zurich.

"Political entities shall not interfere in sport."

EU regulators have a long history of intervening in the business side of sports, from forcing changes in auto racing and soccer television contracts to a landmark 1995 court verdict that allowed free-agency for soccer players That ruling, in the case of Belgian player Jean-Marc Bosman, also barred teams from limiting the number of nonnationals on the field. It led to a boom in international player trades.

Blatter, 71, called for changes in a planned new EU governing treaty to give sports a stronger shield against EU regulations. The draft text recognizes the "specific nature" of sports.

Blatter said he wants the word "autonomous" inserted.

"It's just one word and the problem will be solved, " Blatter said.

The Reform Treaty, to be completed by EU leaders at an October 18-19 summit in Lisbon, would streamline decision-making and end two years of gridlock after French and Dutch voters rejected a planned constitution.

EU leaders sketched the broad outlines of the new treaty in June and agreed not to bring up last-minute demands at the Lisbon summit. Changes to the text require a unanimous accord of the 27 government leaders.

The International Olympic Committee also called for stronger protections for sports, in a letter by IOC President Jacques Rogge to EU leaders.

"We thought it was a good time for the rule of sport to be strengthened, " IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said by telephone.

EU laws have also affected sports by tearing down national barriers to investment, leading to the purchase of eight of 20 British Premier League teams by foreigners such as Roman Abramovich in the past four years. (Bloomberg)