Dein hopes to end club vs country dispute

David Dein, chairman of the powerful G14 pressure group of clubs, expects an end to the legal disputes between clubs and the governing bodies during his spell.

Dein, Arsenal vice-chairman, took over from Juventus's Roberto Bettega, and chairs a new management committee that includes Jean Michel Aulas (Lyon), Jean Claude Blanc (Juventus), Diogo Brandao (FC Porto), Uli Hoeness (FC Bayern M�nchen) and Ferran Soriano (FC Barcelona).

The G14 group supports the Belgian club Charleroi and French club Olympique Lyon in their court cases related to the release players for international duty while not being compensated when players were injured.

Charleroi are seeking compensation after Moroccan Abdelmajid Oulmers was ruled out for eight months following a friendly against Burkina Faso in November 2004, while Olympique Lyon launched a similar action over defender Eric Abidal, who broke his foot during a France friendly.

"I can see a negotiated settlement between all sides within the next 12 months," Dein told Reuters. "There are issues, such as player release, insurance and the calendar, which remain a source of dissatisfaction for many professional football clubs - not just G-14 ones. We think these can be resolved if we all work together. I hope that over the next nine months we can achieve this."

The G14 is believed to be ready to add support to Premier League club Newcastle United in their claim for a reported sum of GBP 20 million in compensation from the Football Association for the injury sustained by striker Michael Owen during the World Cup.

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