Laporte, the former coach of France's rugby union team, met with Sepp Blatter, president of the world governing body in Zurich this week.

And he revealed to Canal+: "I told Mr Blatter that I think the six-plus-five proposal is a good idea.

"I think it is in the interest of all of us, of education and of our young players, and that it applies not only to football, but also to rugby, volleyball and indeed all sports.

"It is our responsibility to debate this issue and examine it fully."

Others attending the meetings over the course of the week included French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes and Frederic Thiriez, president of the French League.

World players' body FIFPro, in the shape of European president Philippe Piat and secretary general Theo Van Seggelen, also attended.

Blatter said: "I am encouraged by the support that we have received in the past few days and this gives me even greater motivation to continue working on 'six-plus-five'."

Blatter said after FIFA's annual congress in Sydney last month he hopes the rule, allowing teams to name only five foreign players in their starting XI, will be in place by the 2012/13 season.

FIFA face a battle if their proposals come to fruition, with the European Union having branded the idea discriminatory and against its laws.

Blatter will meet International Olympic Committee representatives next week.