Clubs to get player compensation from FIFA, UEFA

Clubs have won the rights for players who perform internationally, the latest conciliatory action in the battle between governing bodies FIFA and UEFA against clubs.

The two bodies agreed to pay GBP 129.4 million to clubs over the next six years. That will compensate clubs who lose players to the World Cup and European Championships. FIFA and UEFA also agreed they would look into decreasing the number of international matches.

Clubs had asked to be compensated for players who serve on international teams, especially in the case of injury. The battle between the clubs and governing bodies had even reached various court systems.

FIFA will bankroll approximately GBP 50 million and UEFA will pick up the rest. The agreement was hatched after a meeting between FIFA and UEFA officials and club representatives at UEFA's headquarters in Switzerland. This comes a week after the G14 group of top clubs agreed to disband and form an all-encompassing club association.

"There is no winner here apart from football itself," UEFA president Michel Platini said at a news conference. "It was utterly unthinkable for us that players might not have the right to play for their national team, but of course we could see that it was also logical that the clubs who provide these players should also share in the profits from the competitions."

Along with the agreements to disband the G14 and to give clubs compensation, the remaining three legal cases are expected to be ended.

G14 supported Belgian Charleroi against FIFA when Abdelmajid Oulmers missed eight months of club ball after injuring himself for Morocco in November 2004. Similar cases were brought by French Olympique Lyon and Spanish Atletico Madrid.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.