G14 clubs join Charleroi lawsuit challenging FIFA

Europe's top clubs have joined Belgian team Charleroi in a lawsuit challenging world soccer's governing body FIFA over the terms under which players are called up for international duty.

The G14 wants clubs to be compensated when players are injured representing national teams and is backing Charleroi's claim for financial help after Abdelmajid Oulmers was out for eight months when he tore ankle ligaments playing for Morocco.

The Charleroi midfielder was injured in a friendly against Burkina Faso last November and missed the rest of the season.

G14 general manager Thomas Kurth told the organisation's official website: "In March 2004, G14 filed a complaint with the Swiss Competition Commission (COM-CO) claiming violations of Swiss competition law committed by FIFA in adopting and using the same regulations cited by Royal Charleroi.

"As it is G14's wish to seek a once and for all clarification if these regulations are legal, it is sensible for us to join this case."

FIFA, which refuses to negotiate with the G14, has always maintained it is up to national associations to reimburse clubs for players on international duty and is not the responsibility of the world governing body.

FIFA says 75 per cent of the profits from major tournaments such as the World Cup are ploughed back into the national associations who decide themselves what to do with the money.

FIFA, and its continental confederations such as UEFA in Europe, have long come under pressure from the likes of the G14 clubs in particular to compensate them for releasing players for World Cup finals and European championships.