World soccer's ruling body FIFA declined to pay a settlement of 615,000 euros and avert a courtroom battle with Belgian first division Charleroi, the club's lawyer said yesterday.

Charleroi, backed by the G14 group which represents 18 of the top clubs in Europe, went ahead with the court case yesterday, seeking compensation after one of its players was injured on international duty.

"We are in court today because FIFA were not willing to reach a compromise out of court with the club," Jean-Pierre Deprez told reporters ahead of the hearing.

Deprez said Charleroi chairman Abbas Bayat met FIFA president Sepp Blatter late on Friday but they were unable to reach agreement.

"We will drop our case if we receive compensation. The figure is 615,000 euros," Deprez said.

Opening statements began from Charleroi in the afternoon in front of a packed courtroom with the day's proceedings scheduled to finish late in the day.

A panel of three judges led by the chief judge, Jean-Philippe Lebeau, will hear the case.

FIFA and the European governing body, UEFA, were represented in court by Belgian lawyer Christophe Ronse. Many of FIFA's national associations were listed in the court papers as "defendants".

Charleroi's chairman and G14 general manager Thomas Kurth were also in court.

The Belgian side are seeking compensation after Moroccan Abdelmajid Oulmers was ruled out for eight months after playing in a friendly against Burkina Faso in November 2004.

Charleroi say the loss of the player hindered their chances of success in the domestic league and cup.

FIFA says there is no link between the injury of Oulmers and where Charleroi finished in the league last season, fifth.

The G14 have joined Olympique Lyon in a similar action over defender Eric Abidal who broke his foot during a France friendly.

The clubs pay the wages of players, which exceed $175,000 a week for the top performers.

Under FIFA rules they must release any player called up by a national association for international matches, both qualifying games for the leading continental tournaments and friendlies.