Clubs Want Piece of FIFA Pie

The showcase of European club soccer, the Champions League final on May 25 in Istanbul, is just days away. The two finalists, Liverpool and AC Milan, will reap great financial rewards for the grueling schedule against outstanding European competition.

But it won't be without a price. After long, exhausting seasons with their domestic leagues, as well as appearances in international matches, the top-notch players that often compete in the Champions League tournament run a high risk of injury. In addition, their clubs are never compensated for the extra appearances.

If the organization that represents Europe's most prestigious clubs has its way, that will change. The G-14 -- named after the 14 original founders in 2000 -- currently has no voice in the affairs of international soccer, neither at FIFA nor at UEFA, the European soccer body.

"At the moment, the clubs have no representation in the decision-making process," said G-14 spokesman James Thellusson. "We think we should have a greater say." James Thellusson made an analogy to the United States when it revolted against the British Empire. Naturally, the club group has the role of the US and FIFA stars as the tyrants.

Waiting for decision

The G-14, which includes Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen, has taken its case to the federal competition agency in Switzerland, where FIFA headquarters is located. The G-14 aims for a ruling that would strike down FIFA statutes and allow it to be officially recognized and given a voice at international soccer body. The sticking points are matters like international scheduling or insurance costs that could arise if a player were to be injured in a match for his national team.

The 18 European clubs are hopeful that the Swiss will decide before the 2006 World Cup, when FIFA will distribute at least 332 million Swiss francs (215 million euros) to the 32 competing national soccer associations.

FIFA reluctant to negotiate

The conflict has been brewing for a number of years. Teams like Manchester United, Real Madrid and Inter Milan from the G-14 are naturally interested in new sources of revenue for the services their players provide at big international tournaments. After all, the presence of Ronaldo, Michael Ballack or David Beckham increases attendance -- and potential profits.

Yet FIFA head Sepp Blatter has repeatedly said that his organization is the wrong one to be making demands to. The national associations pick the players for their teams and FIFA has made it clear that it is responsible to the national associations and not to a small group of European teams.

So the G-14 must wait and see how the Swiss Competition Commission rules in a not so run-of-the-mill case that could possibly involve large sums of money.