FIFA, UEFA, Top European Clubs Agree To Disband G-14
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UEFA, FIFA To Begin Paying Teams For
Providing Players For Int'l Competitions |
FIFA, UEFA and several top European soccer teams have agreed on a deal that will disband the G-14 group and compensate teams for players participating in European Championships and the FIFA World Cup. In addition, the European Club Forum will evolve into the European Club Association, which will consist of over 100 teams across Europe and be recognized by both FIFA and UEFA (FIFA). In London, Andrew Warshaw notes FIFA and UEFA "agreed to the clubs' demands that they pay or make a significant financial contribution to compensate clubs when players are released" to their international teams for the World Cup or Euro Cup, which has been "the basis of a battle among the various bodies over who has responsibility for a player's upkeep while he is on international duty" (London INDEPENDENT, 1/16). While the compensation amount was not made public, in London, David Bond notes "it is understood that each club will receive the same amount for every player they provide for a national team during major tournaments -- irrespective of the players' club salaries." The money "will be drawn from a central pool financed by UEFA and FIFA from the commercial money raised" from TV rights and tournament sponsorship. In addition, clubs agreed "to drop legal challenges against FIFA over players injured while on international duty" (London TELEGRAPH, 1/16).
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