Free entry into CL

KdjaCL

Uefa has reacted angrily at reported plans by Europe's top clubs to take control of the Champions League.

According to a draft report leaked to The Guardian, G14 wants to ensure its 18 members can participate in Europe's elite club competition every year.

Uefa spokesman William Gaillard told the newspaper: "It would turn football into professional wrestling where everything is predictable."

G14's members include Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

The group was formed in 2000 and comprised 14 of Europe's richest clubs, with four more joining two years later.

Initially set up as a lobby group to represent the clubs' interests, the leaked document appears to symbolise a desire for more influence.

A G14 spokesman said the document was merely a draft based on discussions ahead of the 10-point plan it released on Thursday.

Those 10 objectives, published on G14's website, will be presented to an inquiry sponsored by Uefa and the European Union.


G14 MEMBERS
Ajax 4th Not in CL position
Arsenal 5th Not in CL position
Barcelona 1st
Bayer Leverkusen 8th Not in CL position
Bayern Munich 1st
Borussia Dortmund 10th not in CL position
Inter Milan 3rd
Juventus 1st
Liverpool 3rd
Lyon 1st
Manchester United 2nd
Marseille 5th Not in CL position
AC Milan 2nd
Paris St Germain 9th not in ...well duh
Porto 1st
PSV Eindhoven 1st
Real Madrid 3rd
Valencia 2nd
/League position now
Under its proposals, G14 is seeking a direct vote for clubs in Uefa and for clubs to be included when agreeing the international calendar.

Ultimately, G14 wants professional clubs to have executive representation within Uefa on committees and other decision-making bodies in it that have a say in the running of club football in Europe.

The inquiry into how the game is run across the 25-member states was set up in December, with its final report expected by the end of May.

As well as seeking consultation on the international diary, G14 is seeking what they describe as "adequate compensation" for the release of players to their national sides.

This debate will be put to the legal test for the first time on Monday when Belgian club, Charleroi, backed by the G14, take Fifa to court seeking compensation for the club after one of their players was injured on international duty.

G14 has also joined French champions Lyon in a similar action.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4819538.stm


Only a matter of time really, those who have the money get to keep it. Would pretty much kill any entertaining football between 6th to 4th if some of the teams already had entry. UEFA need to act on this to avoid the G14 league taking off.


Do G14 have a website, is there application forms on it?....hmm Pats in it......


kdjac

Rikand

G14's response as taken from the BBC website

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4819538.stm

Europe's top clubs have denied reports that they are planning to take control of the Champions League.

A draft report leaked to the Guardian suggested G14 wants to ensure its 18 members can participate in Europe's elite club competition every year.

But G14 general manager Thomas Kurth said: "Breaking away from the Champions League does make not make sense.

"Any attempt to ring fence the competition would be wrong and G14 would not support any such move."

G14's members include Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United.

The group was formed in 2000 and comprised 14 of Europe's richest clubs, with four more joining two years later.

Initially set up as a lobby group to represent the clubs' interests, the leaked document was alleged to have symbolised a desire for more influence.

But Uefa reacted angrily at suggestions in the document that the G14 clubs should be guaranteed entry into the Champions League.

Uefa spokesman William Gaillard told the Guardian: "It would turn football into professional wrestling where everything is predictable."

A G14 spokesman said the document was merely a draft based on discussions ahead of the 10-point plan it released on Thursday.

Those 10 objectives, published on G14's website, will be presented to an inquiry sponsored by Uefa and the European Union.

"We want to see the rights of all clubs, not just G14 clubs, actively recognized within the governance and management structure of the game," added Kurth.

"At the moment they are not. Decisions are in circles from which the clubs are locked out. The governance of the game needs to be modernised."

Under its proposals, G14 is seeking a direct vote for clubs in Uefa and for clubs to be included when agreeing the international calendar.

Ultimately, G14 wants professional clubs to have executive representation within Uefa on committees and other decision-making bodies in it that have a say in the running of club football in Europe.

The inquiry into how the game is run across the 25-member states was set up in December, with its final report expected by the end of May.

As well as seeking consultation on the international diary, G14 is seeking what they describe as "adequate compensation" for the release of players to their national sides.

This debate will be put to the legal test for the first time on Monday when Belgian club, Charleroi, backed by G14, take Fifa to court seeking compensation for the club after one of their players was injured on international duty.

G14 has also joined French champions Lyon in a similar action.

besty

Chelsea not in G14

Gangsta

besty wrote:

Chelsea not in G14

Lol funny.

astrofool

They think this was drafted a few years ago when they were talking about leaving the champions league altogether and creating a european based league. Uefa sorted out the champions league, and it was all dropped.

An old story really.

PHB

Its a nothing story, just trying to breed more resentment towards bigger clubs

mike65

The whole G14 concept sucks. It would suck much worse if Chelsea were part of it as Romans money would become a factor.

Mike.

DaveH

Wasnt that one of the ideas why Abromavich got Kenyon as CEO. I know he's top man as footie CEO, but he was also chairman of G14(i think!) and was definately on the G14 board as Man utd CEO. But the second he handed in his notice Man Utd moving extremely quickly to remove him from the board.