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 ****...

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...

The question is simple: Since the federations will have to give money to clubs for their players shouldn't the clubs give money to the federations for the exact same reason?? Imagine a country missing qualification for a WC while one or two important players of theirs are injured... in my opinion, they deserve to be compensated too...

Why would the club compensate the national team ? is the national team paying the players wages for the time he spends with them ?

Of course, as a critic, ur entitled to ur opinion.

What do you mean why?? Do you think national teams and competitions exist just for fun or do they exist so that we can express our nationalism?? There are great interests imperiled at this level too in case you haven't noticed...
Oh I'm sorry I have an opinion. And it's different than yours! How do I dare...

Oh please I read your post... what now, do I HAVE TO agree with you? Get out of your micro-world for God's sake, not everyone's going to agree with you just cause you believe you are always right... learn to like it!

What is it with you and your "DO I HAVE TO AGREE?" 

Does he have the agree with you ???

Every damn time someone lets it know they dont agree with you ,  you go defending your freedom of speech.

Wich you have , but dont make it sound like R7 is not respecting your opinion just cause he had enough of repeating himself.

What does "OMG ... Man, just read my above post. I really don't want to repeat myself anymore." mean?

Of course national teams and the competitions that they are involved in are part of this wonderful sport called Football. And yes, they are there to express our nationalism. And yes there are 'national interests' being put at risk, considering that the players play for clubs.
Am I disagreeing with u here ? No.

Oh please I read your post... what now, do I HAVE TO agree with you? Get out of your micro-world for God's sake, not everyone's going to agree with you just cause you believe you are always right... learn to like it!