Checking the books

By: timmyg | September 17th, 2009

A 1-1 draw in Sofia coupled with Roma losing 2-0 in Basel is a good way to start off the Europa League Group Stages.

I can’t comment on the match too much, other than what’s seen in these highlights, but it appeared we were unfortunate to go down thanks to a good strike from Michel Platini (no joke) and sort of lucky to draw even thanks to CSKA’s goalie playing hero and leaving his box.

But the main talking point about the match is the lineup and bench. And looking at it will shed some light on why no substitutes were used, and why EJ, Seol, KG and others did not make the trip.

After the jump, I’ll go into the nuts and bolts of how the roster works.

To save space here, Dan at hammyend.com has the initial international roster. So check that out. The players with an asterisk mean they are on “Player List B”.

What does that mean? Well lets get all technical and consult the Europa League rulebook, found here.

Starting on page 24, Article 18 discusses player eligibility. Examining §18.08 on down, it details the requirements of “Player List A”.

18.08 No club may have more than 25 players on List A during the season. As a minimum, places 18 to 25 on List A (eight places) are reserved exclusively for “locally trained players” and no club may have more than four “association-trained players” listed in places 18 to 25 on List A. List A must specify the eight players who qualify as being “locally trained”, as well as whether they are “club-trained” or “association-trained”. The possible combinations that enable clubs to comply with the List A requirements are set out in Annex VIII.

18.09 A “locally trained player” is either a “club-trained player” or an “association trained
player”.

18.10 A “club-trained player” is a player who, between the age of 15 (or the start of the season during which he turns 15) and 21 (or the end of the season during which he turns 21), and irrespective of his nationality and age, has been registered with his current club for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons (i.e. a period starting with the first official match of the relevant national championship and ending with the last official match of that relevant
national championship) or of 36 months.

18.11 An “association-trained player” is a player who, between the age of 15 (or the start of the season during which the player turns 15) and 21 (or the end of the season during which the player turns 21), and irrespective of his nationality and age, has been registered with a club or with other clubs affiliated to the same national association as that of his current club for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons or of 36 months.

18.12 If a club has fewer than eight locally trained players in its squad (i.e. in places 18 to 25 on List A), then the maximum number of players on List A is reduced accordingly. Furthermore, if a club lists a player in places 18 to 25 on List A who does not fulfil the conditions set out in this article, that player is not eligible to participate for the club in the UEFA club competition(s) in question and the club is unable to replace him on List A.

I want to point out §18.12, particularly the reduction of List A if it has less than 8 locally trained players. Fulham’s “A List” only has 21 players. Meaning that we only have 4 locally trained players.
So bummer for EJ, who I was hoping would get some time in this competition.

Now onto our “Player List B”, which contains practically our academy and not the likes of Elm, Stoor, Andranik, Kallio and the other fringe players. The criteria is explained by §18.15-.16, and be sure to note the date of birth requirement.

18.15 Each club is entitled to register an unlimited number of players on List B during the season. The list must be submitted by no later than 24.00 CET on the day before the match in question.

18.16 A player may be registered on List B if he is born on or after 1 January 1988 and has been eligible to play for the club concerned for any uninterrupted period of two years since his 15th birthday by the time he is registered with UEFA. Players aged 16 may be registered on List B if they have been registered with the participating club for the previous two years without interruption.

Viola! Anyone over the age of 21 isn’t eligible. Shame.

Lastly, why Pascal Zuberbuhler was able to dress for this match but left off the initial roster is answered in §18.20. Basically he swapped in for Schwarzer, who is still injured.

If a club cannot count on the services of at least two goalkeepers registered on List A because of long-term injury or illness, the club concerned may temporarily replace the goalkeeper concerned and register a new goalkeeper at any time during the season and complete the official registration list A with a goalkeeper fit to be fielded. If the replaced goalkeeper was registered as a locally trained player, the new goalkeeper does not need to be a locally trained player. The club must provide UEFA with the necessary medical evidence. UEFA may require further medical examination of the goalkeeper by an expert appointed by UEFA at the cost of the club. Once the injured or ill goalkeeper is fit to be fielded again he can resume his position in place of his nominated substitute. The change must be announced to the UEFA administration 24 hours before the next match in which the goalkeeper is due
to play.

The rule book is an interesting read, and hopefully I answered any thoughts or questions you may have had. Feel free to ask any questions or point out where I am wrong.