Euro Soccer Group G14 Scraps Expansion Plans, Annual Meeting
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Chelsea CEO Kenyon Prefers
Working With UEFA To G14 |
The G14 group, which represents the interests of 18 European soccer clubs, has "abandoned immediate plans to expand to 40 clubs and cancelled its annual conference" scheduled for next week in Brussels, a "development that could have major repercussions for the balance of power in European football," according to Paul Kelso of the Manchester GUARDIAN. The move comes as Chelsea FC CEO Peter Kenyon indicated that "he would snub any invitation to join the organisation, preferring to exert influence from within" UEFA. While G14 GM Thomas Kurth indicated that expansion plans "had been postponed to allow more clubs to put themselves forward for membership," Kelso reports the decision "was forced by leading clubs as part of a deal struck" with UEFA President Michel Platini on the Champions League format. Platini is "thought to have backed down on his proposal to have domestic cup winners enter the Champions League and will instead allow national associations to decide whether entrants should come from league or cup competitions." In return, the clubs "will rebrand the G14 as a new, independent and international clubs organisation, pledged to work more closely" with UEFA (Manchester GUARDIAN, 11/7).
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