Diafra Sakho on homegrown-player proposals: 'Everyone can make their own excuses'

West Ham forward Diafra Sakho doesn't agree with the proposals made this week by Football Association chairman Greg Dyke, who vowed to push through new rules regarding the number of homegrown players in the Premier League.

The outlined proposals, which are aimed at encouraging the development of English prospects, include players having to register with their club from the age of 15 - down from 18 - to qualify as homegrown, as well as clubs having to feature at least 12 homegrown players in their first-team squad, an increase from the current minimum of eight.

Whether or not the proposals result in a greater crop of English talent is the subject of much debate, but it's fairly clear where Sakho stands on the issue.

"Everyone can make their own excuses to defend their own interests," Sakho told BBC Sport.

Dyke's proposals came immediately after Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal were eliminated in the Round of 16 of the Champions League, leaving the Premier League with zero clubs in the quarterfinals of Europe's most prestigious competition.

"France won the World Cup in 1998 and the French league was full of foreigners, same with Spain who won the World Cup and Euros, and Germany too. I don't see why we should shut the door on new talent coming over," Sakho said.