G14 Play the Wronged Victims of Persecution Card
March 28th, 2006 by Alan HylandsRich clubs’ mouthpiece, the G14, have issued a statement escalating the growing tensions between themselves and UEFA and claiming that they are coming under a “co-ordinated campaign of attack” by European football’s governing body.
Having been left out in the cold for next month’s UEFA consultation on the future of European club competitions, a G14 spokesman said this to the PA Sport:`”What you are seeing is a co-ordinated campaign to attack the G14. The reason for this is because we have had the temerity to ask an independent open tribunal to answer the question: ‘Are FIFA and UEFA’s rules legal?’
“FIFA and UEFA have failed to solve the issue of player release and insurance. The key issues, which are not going to go away, are better protection for clubs against player injuries, better representation, and compensation for player release.”
UEFA on the other hand see the organisation as having no proper mandate within the game with which to be invited into consultations on it’s future and UEFA’s head of communications William Gaillard has went so far as to term the G14 as a “negative influence in football.”
Gaillard said: “If clubs come up with this subject (of the Champions League match schedule), we will of course discuss it, although it is difficult because of the international calendar.”
He added: “We have excellent relationships with all clubs. Things are different with the G14, because we do not recognise it as an organisation. There is no need for such a group.
“There could be a need for a group that does not try to segregate and truly represents the clubs, but it doesn’t do that. It is a negative force in football.
“We believe in the transparent organisation of football. With the support we have I’m sure we will prevail.”
The battle lines have been drawn it seems and it will be a long and bloody war for the right to dictate the future of European football. Can the European game avoid a takeover from it’s richest members or will the old principles of democracy amongst clubs prevail?
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March 31st, 2006 at 12:16 pm
I do not know how it will end up but I hope it ends soon. Every year we witness new G14 requests for more freedom from UEFA and FIFA but even when rejected they do just stay idle waiting for the next year.
UEFA and FIFA rejected your appeals? Good. Then create a league of your own with 18-20 clubs, leave your current leagues and tell your players to choose between national teams and G14 clubs. Don’t you have the guts to part from the current situation? Then just shut up and go back to your usual business (if you have one obviously).
Besides I am not against a G14 league since their clubs think only about profits and I do not watch matches for profit. I watch them because I want to have fun and even without the Ronaldinho, etc. I think I would enjoy football.
So please create an European League and leave us alone with our national league that will have a lower talent pool but will be a lot more balanced and tied to local communities.
March 31st, 2006 at 7:39 pm
Well said Angelo! Money continues to rule “our” game, and big clubs seem to have no understanding of the importance of grass-roots and lower-level football in the development of both players and fans. Their insistence on trying to kill-off smaller footballing nations is also worrying.
Sadly, if the talk comes to fruition I fear my two-decade love affair with Liverpool “Football Club” may come to an end.
April 1st, 2006 at 4:50 pm
Ching, ching. No it’s not the sound of the G14 counting their advertising money, it’s the two lads above hitting the nail right on the head when it comes to modern football.
The G14 stands for everything REAL football fans don’t and as such should be forced to play their own private game or find something else to do with their time.