Newcastle have asked for 6.2 million pounds (12 million dollars) but Blatter insisted the world governing body would not increase a "last offer" of just over 900,000 pounds (1.8 million dollars).

Owen ruptured his cruciate knee ligament in the opening minute of England's World Cup match against Sweden and has not played since.

The wrangling over who bears financial responsibility for his injury has highlighted an issue that some fear could lead to clubs refusing to release their stars for international football.

Blatter said the primary responsibility for paying compensation in cases such as Owen's lay with the English Football Association and Newcastle's insurers.

FIFA also set up its own compensation fund of 17.5 million Swiss francs (14.3 million dollars) to facilitate payments to the clubs of injured players.

But Blatter implied the idea behind this was primarily to provide cover for poorer national associations, notably from Africa, and pointed out agreeing to Newcastle's request would use up 85 percent of the fund for the 2006 finals.

"If you look who is asking for money (from the fund) then something is wrong if the requests are coming from clubs in the richest league in the world," Blatter said.

"We have made a last offer but this has not worked out. If somebody has a responsibility here it is FA to the player they took to the World Cup."

Newcastle are already receiving 50,000 pounds (98,000 dollars) per week from the FA's insurers towards Owen's wages. The club argue they are also entitled to a lump sum because they had to spending ten million pounds (19.5 million dollars) buying Obafemi Martins as a replacement for Owen, who cost them 17 million pounds (33 million dollars) from Real Madrid.