FIFA to fight Lyon over Abidal injury claim

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said soccer's world governing body would resist any attempt by Olympique Lyon to sue FIFA over an injury sustained by defender Eric Abidal in a friendly international.

Blatter was responding to Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas's statement on Wednesday that his club would sue FIFA for one million euros ($1.17 million).

"We have decided to take FIFA to a French court with the support of the G14 (top European clubs grouping) and the union of French professional clubs," Aulas told a news conference in Lyon.

Blatter said his Executive Committee had discussed the matter and had been offered the support of a number of national associations to fight the case.

He added: "Lyon, and Charleroi (who are also suing FIFA in a similar case), are two issues that are extremely worrying to us because they are saying FIFA has no respect for the clubs. It hurts to read this but it is not the case.

"It is up to the clubs to provide insurance for their players."

The French champions accuse FIFA of forcing clubs to release their players when they are picked for international duty and failing to provide any compensation when they are injured.

However, FIFA say there was no obligation for the clubs to release players for the international Abidal was injured in as it was not on the international match calendar.

Aulas said: "This is against French and European laws. FIFA are taking advantage of their dominant position. Such a system leaves the clubs powerless and does not respect them."

Abidal, a key player for the four-times French champions, fractured his left foot during France's 3-2 victory over Costa Rica in a friendly played in Martinique on November 9. He is expected to be out of action until February.

Under FIFA regulations, clubs must release players only for matches marked for international action by FIFA.

The match against Costa Rica, played as a tribute to the families of those from Martinique who died in a plane crash in August, was not on that calendar and Lyon were not obliged to release Abidal, who was born in Martinique.

Aulas said he estimated at 1.017 million euros the club's losses in wages, payroll charges and amortisation of the 10 million euro price paid for signing Abidal from Lille in June 2004.

Charleroi case

FIFA is also the target of a lawsuit brought by Belgian first division team Charleroi also with the support of the G14 - an elite group of 18 of Europe's leading clubs.

Charleroi are claiming financial compensation for the loss of their Moroccan midfielder Abdelmajid Oulmers, who tore ankle ligaments in a friendly against Burkina Faso last November and will miss the rest of the season.

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.

Thomas Kurth, the general secretary of the G14 clubs told Reuters yesterday:

"It's not all just about the money but it is a factor.

"The rules state that players have to be made available to national associations for nothing and this is where the problem lies.

"We think the rules should be changed as a result of negotiation between the national teams, the clubs and the federations.

"The Abidal situation is another example of how clubs are disadvantaged by FIFA rules."