G-14 dissolved as FIFA compensate clubs

The G-14 group of top European clubs has been dissolved after FIFA and UEFA reached an agreement with clubs over compensations for players sustaining injuries with their national teams.

كتب : Omar AbdelAziz

الأربعاء، 16 يناير 2008 - 13:27
The G-14 group of top European clubs has been dissolved after FIFA and UEFA reached an agreement with clubs over compensations for players sustaining injuries with their national teams.

Struck on Tuesday, the deal emphasized that FIFA and UEFA are entailed to compensate European clubs in case their players suffered injuries with national teams. In return, clubs will drop legal actions against the governing bodies.

The major legal actions include cases regarding France defender and former Lyon full-back Eric Abidal and Moroccan midfielder Abdul-Majid Oulmers of Charleroi.

The G-14 regime will be replaced by the European Club Association (ECA).

Very Special

FIFA president Joseph Blatter was delighted with the meeting, which he believes to be a huge boost for the game.

"Something very special has happened today. The clubs, which are the basic cells of our game and fundamental to its thriving, are at last to become a part of the pyramidal football organization," said the Swiss.

"Today's letter of intent gives a big boost to football. We have reached this positive conclusion by taking care of the legitimate aspirations and requests of clubs to access the decision-making levels of international football."

The new system involves more than 100 clubs across Europe, including the likes of AC Milan, Manchester United, Bayern Munich Real Madrid and Barcelona, whose chairman Joan Laporta seemed to be pleased.

"Friendship and confidence is the basis for our game. I compliment the UEFA President on having implemented the change he promised when he came to office. It is a victory for all," said Laporta.