MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

Last updated : 30 April 2003 By Editor

G-14 would like compensation for any players taking party in international tournaments Peter Kenyon, who is a vice-president of G14, said it was inevitable that negotiations would involve clubs' attitudes to the world governing body's more contentious tournaments.

Michael Van Praag of Ajax, another G-14 vice-president, said: 'At the moment, the only ones who do not benefit from the huge revenues of the World Cup finals are the clubs who provide the players.

'We take all the risks because we get the players back tired, injured and lacking in motivation.

The clubs also pay their salaries and insurance while they are away. We just want some compensation for that.'

A FIFA spokesman told Reuters: 'The executive committee (of FIFA) will have a look at the proposal and give a formal reply after studying various aspects. But it's unlikely to agree to any such proposal.'

'It's only coming from a few big clubs in Europe but we have to defend the interests of the 204 national associations and they are different to the interests of the top European clubs.'