UEFA Threaten to Expel Top Clubs

[bingo83]

Uefa has threatened clubs with expulsion from their domestic leagues if they try to form a rival tournament.

At the weekend the G14 group of clubs denied a media report they wanted to form a breakaway competition.

"Uefa will not stand in the way of those who want to leave the family - (which also means the domestic competitions)," said Uefa.

"You cannot `pick and choose'," the statement added, which did not specifically name the G14.

The G14 group represents 18 of the world's richest clubs, including Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.

G14 general manager Thomas Kurth said: ¿This attack on G-14 does not mean the issues which we are fighting for will go away.

"At the moment, the rules of the game are written by the federations, for the federations. Professional clubs have no direct representation and that needs to change.

"These threats are simply an attempt to defend the position of the federations and not deal openly with the real bones of contention such as representation, player insurance and compensation.¿

While denying they want to form a breakaway rival tournament, Europe's biggest clubs do want the format of the Champions League changed to increase the number of games.

A 2003 revamp led to more knockout ties but fewer games overall and G14 has been unhappy over the revenue loss.

"We are not talking about doubling the number of games, it may be adding just one or two," Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano told BBC Sport.

"We have to have the opportunity to participate in the final decision."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who attended the Uefa Congress in Budapest where the statement was released, thanked Europe's governing body for its support over the Charleroi court case.

Belgian club Charleroi, backed by G14, are taking world governing body Fifa to court, claiming compensation over a player injured in an international match.

Moroccan Abdelmajid Oulmers was out for eight months after playing against Burkina Faso in November 2004.

G14 wants the regulations surrounding the compulsory release of players for international matches changed and clubs to be compensated if players are injured playing for their countries.

"Everything that happens in European football has an influence on global football," said Blatter.

"Can you conceive football without the national teams or the national associations?

"It would mean the collapse of the whole pyramid of football because of the elitism of a few."

[backin-strachan]

If thats whats happening then so be it. I am fed up with so many clubs thinking there bigger than football. Its just not on. Well done UEFA (for once)

[RiLu@]

The top football teams got what they wanted with Champions League, i think the old European cup was more fair, real champions not money users!
All over europe leagues are getting short like in Scotland, becasue of all matches a player has to play.
There's to much money in CL and everybody wants to be there.
At the 2002 WC in Asia top players were like a joke, and is suppose to be the other way as the good old times with Pele, Eusebio and Bobby Charlton the passion for the game was everything not the money!!!!!!!

[WACCOE]

I heard about some of the top clubs breaking away and creating there own competition 3 or 4 year ago. Still hasn't happened so im saying it never will.

[AfroJoe]

Nah, it won't, because they'd be idiots to do so.

The majority of clubs would stick with their own domestic system, and then once the G14 clubs realised what they were doing wrong, it'd be too late to get back in.

Never going to happen.

[backin-strachan]

I wouldnt be too sure AJ. Financially the champions league just isnt enough. Barca and Real are in £200 million in debt (about that) and the local authorities who support them are struggling to cope. I f they broke away, got a big sponsor etc they could be rolling it in but personally I am against it, even like RILU said. The EUROPEAN CUP is better in most ways than the Champions League. It gives everyone a fair chance than the champs league which will give huge advantages to bigger clubs.

LOVE THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TUNE THOUGH:p

[WACCOE]

I wouldnt be too sure AJ. Financially the champions league just isnt enough. Barca and Real are in £200 million in debt (about that) and the local authorities who support them are struggling to cope. I f they broke away, got a big sponsor etc they could be rolling it in but personally I am against it, even like RILU said. The EUROPEAN CUP is better in most ways than the Champions League. It gives everyone a fair chance than the champs league which will give huge advantages to bigger clubs.

LOVE THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TUNE THOUGH:p
I'd be sure. Infact if there was a bookies doing any sort of bet on this, I would put all my money on (well, my Dad would for me :brow ), but still, this is all bull....You say they will "break away and get a big sponsor", asif they haven't got big sponsors at the moment. Plus, if Barca needed a sponsor don't you reckon they would get the main one for their shirt done. I know these 2 clubs are in debt, but are you sure it isn't 200euros instead of pounds, and I doubt it is even that high anyway / i'd have thought that was just the amount of money they lost annually in the 05 year, if mi been honest. I don't even think Boroussia Dortmund are in that much debt tbh.

Plus, I don't see how this "new competition" that they might make will be more finanicially beneficial than the Champs League. Asif you don't get loads for getting into the Champs League, that is definately enough for any normal clubs...where would they get that money that they give away in the Champs League just for getting into it for the "new competition". Exactly, they would have a cat in hells chance. The only reason they get it for the Champs League is through UEFA, and they are clearly disgusted by this idea so they will not give them the money. Maybe some of the clubs have money trees, what do you think?

That'll be all in response for now. Although I could have gone on for even longer.

[RiLu@]

Barca doesn't have a sponsor on the shirt because all club members dont want it!

They say that it belongs to the club and nobody else, so they all pay a bit extra for that!

It was the same with real madrid!

Spanish people are very proud.

Dortmund plays hamburg 1-1 first 45.

[WACCOE]

Heh, suprise Dortmund are 4-0 down by now. They're absolutely shocking nowadays.

Although, Jan Koller 4TW on PES5!

[AfroJoe]

Won 4-2 away at Hamburg, which is a good result.

They're getting better again. They were awful for a couple of seasons, but they're contenders for the UEFA Cup positions this year, and I hope they get one, because they're a big club.

Still got a few good players... Koller, Rosicky, Dede and Worns to name a few. Some good, young talent coming through as well.

:cool:

[WACCOE]

Yeah, they have always had a good youth setup. Was disappointing when they lost a load of money, have always liked them. And like you say they are a big club. They only just avoided relegation like 2 seasons running where they were well, doing a Leeds United I suppose.

They did well to hold onto there top players though.

[backin-strachan]

I hear they bought Steven Pienaar who is a great prospect. Only reason I know because he was linked with CELTIC but nowadays money talks.

[WACCOE]

Ah, he is the one who used to be at Ajax, no?

[AK.]

they should kick teams outta comptitions for racism to, its just effin stupid

[bingo83]

Eufa seem to really hammer the UK teams, but when it comes to Italy / Spain etc they are far more lenient. There is more trouble at football in the continent than the UK but we are always hammered if there is the slightest bit of trouble.

Look at the Roma fans who stabbed a couple of Middlesborough fans recently. Has there been any punishment of Roma?

[backin-strachan]

Ah, he is the one who used to be at Ajax, no?
Possibly but there is not enough done on European clubs like said, they get away with anything.

[WACCOE]

they should kick teams outta comptitions for racism to, its just effin stupid
100% agreed. Spain's national team shouldn't even be allowed into the World Cup imo. That would teach them to control their supporters wouldn't it.

Eufa seem to really hammer the UK teams, but when it comes to Italy / Spain etc they are far more lenient. There is more trouble at football in the continent than the UK but we are always hammered if there is the slightest bit of trouble.

Look at the Roma fans who stabbed a couple of Middlesborough fans recently. Has there been any punishment of Roma?
I see what you're saying...but I don't think they are more leninent with Italian and Spanish clubs...look what they did Roma in the Champs League last year when they made them play behind closed doors for 3 games. That was when a fan threw a lighter at the referee. Tbh, you don't really see teams from the UK getting punishments or anything at all anymore, compared to 10, 15 years ago. I mean, did Fulham or Chelsea get a real, worthwhile punishment for hundreds of fans running on the pitch, AND fighting. Me thinks not.

[AfroJoe]

Ah, he is the one who used to be at Ajax, no?

Yeah, he was. Good player.

[AfroJoe]

Eufa seem to really hammer the UK teams, but when it comes to Italy / Spain etc they are far more lenient. There is more trouble at football in the continent than the UK but we are always hammered if there is the slightest bit of trouble.

Look at the Roma fans who stabbed a couple of Middlesborough fans recently. Has there been any punishment of Roma?

The thing is, this is just a common misconception in the British media, that Italian and Spanish teams get off lightly. Your example of Roma would be acceptable in this situation had Roma actually had anything to do with the whole affair - just because it's their supporters carrying out stabbings doesn't mean the club has anything to do with it. The events took place a night before the game, and Roma can't exactly be watching all their fans at all times and stopping them committing such crimes. Sad as it is, Roma had nothing to do with the acts of those supporters.

And anyway, let's take Inter as a workable example. When their fans chucked flares on the pitch, they got a 6 game stadium ban and a massive fine. Whereas, when CSKA Moscow fans did exactly the same thing against Parma in the UEFA Cup last year, with one flare actually injuring the Parma keeper, UEFA did feck all. Not even a fine, I don't think.

So yeah, maybe they do treat English clubs harshly, but they also treat Italian clubs in the same way compared to some other European clubs.

[WACCOE]

Sad as it is, Roma had nothing to do with the acts of those supporters.


They're not supporters. They're hooligan's and animal's.

[bingo83]

Latest on the Subject

The G14 group of leading European clubs has attacked Uefa for saying that it is "a negative force in football".

G14 spokesperson James Thellusson said: "What you're seeing is a 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?'"

Uefa's William Gaillard had said: "There's no need for such a group. It is a negative force in football."

Thellusson's comments relate to the story involving Belgian club Charleroi and their player Abdelmajid Oulmers.

Charleroi, with the backing of G14, are suing Fifa after Oulmers, returned from national team duty with Morocco in November 2004 suffering an injury that kept him out of action for over six months.

"Fifa and Uefa have failed to solve the issue of player release and insurance," added Thellusson.

"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."

Meanwhile, Manchester United's chief executive David Gill, whose club is one of the 18 members of the G14, said the group would like Uefa to change the format of the Champions League from 13 match days to 17.

Uefa will hold a conference with clubs, media and supporters next month to discuss the future of club competitions from 2009.

Gaillard said Uefa was happy to talk to individual clubs about their opinions on matters regarding European competitions, but insisted the governing body does not recognise the G14.

"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," said Gaillard.

"We have excellent relationships with all clubs. Things are different with the G14, because we do not recognise it as an organisation."