G14 looks to expand, not disband

The G14 still plans on expanding membership – possibly to as many as 40 clubs – despite the hail of criticism directed at the group by football's governing bodies.

G14 president Jean-Michel Aulas, the chairman of French Olympique Lyon, was stunned that UEFA's Michel Platini and FIFA's Sepp Blatter called on the group of 18 European power clubs to disband.

The group is planning the opposite, with expansion in numbers, and expansion into Africa, the Americas and Asia.

"This federation will be a constructive force towards FIFA and UEFA," Aulas said in the French daily Le Monde. "Membership of the federation will be based on UEFA's club rankings."

The G14 has opposed FIFA by backing Belgian Charleroi in a court case about compensation for a player injured while representing his country. The case was referred to Europe's highest court earlier this month. A similar case involving Lyon is pending.

Platini is pushing for UEFA's newly-created Professional Football Strategy Council to become the forum for football quarrels to be settled, and called on the G14 to disband.

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