FIFA and G14 may resolve their legal dispute

English Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein said Europe's top clubs and FIFA is expected to end its bitter legal dispute within the next 12 months.

The G14, which represents 18 of the world's most powerful clubs, is involved in a battle with FIFA over several issues, particularly two court cases related to the release of players for internationals and the compensation they receive should they get injured.

Dein, chairman of the G14, will propose a suggestion to FIFA in the coming weeks which he believes will put an end to the ongoing argument.

"This will allow all sides to elegantly exit from the situation," said Dein following a G14 general assembly in Brussels.

"There is more dialogue than ever and it should be solved within the next 12 months."

The proposal was put forward by a major British insurance company during Thursday's meeting and followed a presentation by English Newcastle United. Newcastle is seeking compensation from the English FA over an injury to striker Michael Owen while he was on international duty.

Newcastle is not a member of the G14, which includes the likes of English Manchester United, Spanish Real Madrid and Italian AC Milan, but Dein said the compromise "is for the benefit of all clubs."

While Newcastle has not finalised any legal action, a similar Belgian court case taken against FIFA by first division Charleroi and the G14 has been referred to the European Court of Justice.

Another case is pending involving Olympique Lyon of France and Dein said if the matter were not resolved, other cases would develop.

"After the World Cup we are looking at around seven cases, but that was based on over 700 players, so nobody wants this issue to escalate," Dein said.

Last week, G14 general manager Thomas Kurth said he thought there would be a solution to the issue before Euro 2008, while FIFA and UEFA have implied that the matter is close to being resolved.

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