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The [[2004]] Champions League final was the first in that competition since [[1992]] in which one of the finalists was not a current G-14 member; the 2004 final featured member [[FC Porto|Porto]] and non-member [[AS Monaco FC|AS Monaco]]. There have been only three Champions League or European Cup finals where both teams were non-members of the present G-14.
The [[2004]] Champions League final was the first in that competition since [[1992]] in which one of the finalists was not a current G-14 member; the 2004 final featured member [[FC Porto|Porto]] and non-member [[AS Monaco FC|AS Monaco]]. There have been only three Champions League or European Cup finals where both teams were non-members of the present G-14.


In the other existing major UEFA club competition, the [[UEFA Cup]], fourteen finals have featured two non-members, compared to only three that have featured two G-14 clubs. [[2005]] was the first final since [[1989]] to be contested between two non-members - [[PFC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]] and [[Sporting Clube de Portugal|Sporting Lisbon]]. In [[2006]], the [[UEFA Cup]] was contested again between two non-members [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] and [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]], as well as in [[2007 UEFA Cup Final|2007]] when Sevilla played [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]].
In the other existing major UEFA club competition, the [[UEFA Cup]], fourteen finals have featured two non-members, compared to only three that have featured two G-14 clubs. [[2005]] was the first final since [[1989]] to be contested between two non-members - [[PFC CSKA Moscow|CSKA Moscow]] and [[Sporting Clube de Portugal|Sporting Lisbon]]. In [[2006]], the [[UEFA Cup]] was contested again between two non-members [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] and [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]], as well as in [[2007 UEFA Cup Final|2007]] when [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] played [[RCD Espanyol|Espanyol]].


==Court case against FIFA==
==Court case against FIFA==

Revision as of 04:28, 17 November 2007

File:G-14.jpg
Map of the G-14 in Europe.

The G-14 is an organisation of European football clubs. It was founded in September 2000 by 14 leading clubs to provide a unified voice in negotiations with UEFA and FIFA. New members may join by invitation only. In August 2002, four more clubs joined, taking the membership to 18, although the organisation has retained its original name.

Essentially a pressure group, they have often been linked to various initiatives to create what the media have called a European Super League, although this is often denied. These reports were particularly common during 2003 when UEFA took the decision to drop the second group phase from the Champions League without the consultation of the participating clubs. G-14 took this as justification that they are needed within European Football to create what they call a ‘voice for the clubs’. The president of the group is Olympique Lyonnais chairman Jean-Michel Aulas, who replaced David Dein who stepped down after 6 months of a two year presidency after leaving Arsenal.

The G-14 clubs are spread across seven different countries, and have won around 250 national league titles between them. Three come from each of the top divisions of England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain; two from the Netherlands; and one from Portugal. G-14 members have won the European Cup/Champions League 41 times out of 51 seasons.

The 2004 Champions League final was the first in that competition since 1992 in which one of the finalists was not a current G-14 member; the 2004 final featured member Porto and non-member AS Monaco. There have been only three Champions League or European Cup finals where both teams were non-members of the present G-14.

In the other existing major UEFA club competition, the UEFA Cup, fourteen finals have featured two non-members, compared to only three that have featured two G-14 clubs. 2005 was the first final since 1989 to be contested between two non-members - CSKA Moscow and Sporting Lisbon. In 2006, the UEFA Cup was contested again between two non-members Sevilla and Middlesbrough, as well as in 2007 when Sevilla played Espanyol.

Court case against FIFA

As the leading Clubs in European Football, their power on the world stage was best demonstrated during the 2006 FIFA World Cup where they provided 22% of participating players. This has supported their assertion that national associations should pay players wages whilst on international duty and provide compensation in the case of injuries.

In April 2004, G-14 initiated a preliminary investigation into FIFA by the Swiss Competition Commission, when they complained of FIFA's requiring their players to be available for FIFA international competitions without compensating the clubs. FIFA president Sepp Blatter has refused to negotiate with the G-14 on the matter.

On September 5 2005 the G-14 clubs decided to take FIFA to court over paying players for internationals after the Belgian club Charleroi lost Abdelmajid Oulmers in November for eight months when he was injured playing for Morocco.

If the G-14 are successful in their court case against FIFA, it could effectively mean the end of international football between national teams; this is because so few countries' football associations would be able to afford to pay for big name multi-million earning stars to play on their team (especially poorer countries like Brazil, whose current international footballers are among the highest paid club players in the world, and also developing countries in Africa like the Ivory Coast and Ghana). This would mean national teams comprised of "affordable" low to mid level players. Even if the case were decided in favour of Charleroi, there might be a posibility to avoid such drastic outcomes if FIFA organised a system whereby countries helped with clubs player insurance costs, though even this would cost many millions and might still not be feasible.

Already foreseeing such a situation, there has been talk of creating a "World Cup" for club teams instead and many feel certain this is the next step after the conclusion of the court case (if the decision is in the G-14's favour). The case is still pending.

Prior to the 2006 FIFA World Cup the G-14 Members demanded a 'fair percentage' of receipts from tournaments, such as the World Cup to compensate for the clubs releasing players to compete in these tournaments.[1]

On 28 May 2007, at an extraordinary congress in Zurich, UEFA President Michel Platini called upon G-14 to disband, declaring that they were "elitist" and that club grievances could be aired through a new UEFA body, the Professional Football Strategy Council.[2]

Expansion

Jean-Michel Aulas was elected president of the G-14 on May 16, 2007, after securing unanimous agreement from member clubs to the principle of expanding the G-14's membership. Aulas announced his intention to consider inviting a further 16 teams to join, stating that he wanted the G14 "to expand geographically and be strengthened by other clubs." [3] [4] In October 2007, 22 additional European clubs were invited to participate in talks towards expansion. [5]

Members

Founding members, 2000
New members, 2002
Under Consideration as of 2007

References

  1. ^ Nisbet, John (2006-03-23). "G14 clubs demand share of World Cup gate receipts". The Independent. Retrieved 2007-05-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Platini calls for disbandment of 'Elitist' G14". ESPNsoccernet. 2007-05-28. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  3. ^ Esplin, Ronnie (2007-05-17). "New G-14 boss may swell lobby group to 32". ESPNsoccernet. Retrieved 2007-05-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "G14 looks set to expand". RTÉ Sport. 2007-05-16. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
  5. ^ "Celts get G14 slot but Gers snubbed". Evening Times. 2007-10-31. Retrieved 2007-10-31. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

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