[dst]

G14 disbands after historic deal
Tuesday 15 January, 2008

The G14 group of top European clubs has disbanded after agreeing an “historic” deal with FIFA and UEFA.

The sides had banded together into an organisation called the G14 – including Inter, Milan and Juventus – to launch court cases against FIFA and threaten to create a breakaway League.

Instead, UEFA President Michel Platini has helped broker a deal in Zurich that will see FIFA and UEFA make “financial contributions for players’ participation in European Championships and World Cups.”

This will resolve the debate from clubs over compensation for players injured during international duty.

Legal cases backed by the G14 included Lyon suing for Eric Abidal breaking his foot in a France friendly, but will not we dropped.

The G14 has been dissolved, but a new organisation created called the European Club Association and this independent body will be recognised by FIFA and UEFA.

“As part of the planned moves, UEFA and FIFA will enter into a series of commitments including financial contributions for player participation in European Championships and World Cups, subject to the approval of their respective bodies,” said a statement.

"The demands of the clubs to be heard and to be associated, also financially, are well-founded,” added Platini. "The letter of intent signed today is not a political step, but a logical one."

The G14 consisted of Milan, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter, Porto, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester United, Marseille, Paris Saint-Germain, PSV, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Olympique Lyonnais and Valencia.


channel4

Instead, UEFA President Michel Platini has helped broker a deal in Zurich that will see FIFA and UEFA make “financial contributions for players’ participation in European Championships and World Cups.”

This is ridiculous... I can't believe it! And what if a player is injured when playing for his club and misses the following Euro championship?? What happens then? I guess they don't give a ****... (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[dst]

mmm What if the player gets injured in the club before going to play in a tournament for his country ? I mean, it's not like the country is paying the player's salary or anything.

If they are fighting for something then it matters... if his national team are going to the Euro as tourists then no one should even bother... I'm quite sure national teams want all their players to be healthy...

This post has been edited by dst: Jan 15 2008, 09:38 PM

[Rossoneri7]

If they are fighting for something then it matters... if his national team are going to the Euro as tourists then no one should even bother... I'm quite sure national teams want all their players to be healthy...

Of course, but that is not the case here. The clubs are worried about one thing, and one thing only (from this aspect, not in general of course) to protect their investment.

If a player gets injured playing for the national team, is it fair that the club pay his wages while he is in rehabilitation ?

It's not about motivation really, it's more of insurance for the clubs. Which, at their level, they have a point.