Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 953 Sun. February 04, 2007  
   
Sports


G14 expects Platini consultation


G14 boss Thomas Kurth told AFP Friday that he expects new UEFA president Michel Platini to consult his group before making any drastic changes to the Champions League format.

"(Platini) wants to know our position and he will come to us," said the general manager of G14, a group made up of 18 of the continent's richest and biggest clubs. "We are ready to tell him what we think."

Platini campaigned as a champion of the smaller clubs and nations in Europe in his UEFA presidential bid and has already said he will reduce the maximum number of clubs from any one country allowed into the Champions League -- from four to three.

G14 are dead set against that proposal as that would mean only three teams from Italy, Spain and England qualifying for the Champions League each year. That could leave some G14 members scrabbling around in the UEFA Cup.

They also want to talk to Platini about one of their biggest gripes, the release of players for international duty without compensation.

"We have our general position but no concrete propositions, that's not for us to do," added Kurth. "We are working with FIFA and it takes time but some time between now and the end of the season there should be some concrete propositions."

Kurth also revealed Bayern Munich's spat with G14, whom they threatened to leave last year, has been resolved.

"That misunderstanding has been resolved," said Kurth. "The clubs have a habit of talking about things amongst ourselves."