G14 join lawsuit against FIFA over youth tournament

G14 and FIFA face another day in court after the group representing 18 of Europe's most powerful soccer clubs joined a lawsuit taken by the promoter of a major youth tournament against the world governing body.

It was the latest action in a battle between the G14 and FIFA over issues such as compensation for players injured on international duty.

London-based Gifted Group, organisers of the "Champions Youth Cup" in Malaysia, together with G14 filed a lawsuit this week in Brussels against FIFA over its failure to give the tournament its official endorsement.

Both Gifted Group and G14 have also lodged a complaint against FIFA with the European Commission, accusing them of abusing their dominant position, Gifted chairman Jonathan Price told Reuters yesterday.

Price said FIFA had "done a U-turn after finding out the G14 are involved and we are seeking an injunction to stop them interfering.

"After initially endorsing our competition, FIFA's perceived involvement of G14 meant they reversed this position nearly two months later, leaving the tournament's future hanging in the balance."

Price said the competition "is not a G14 tournament" and non-G14 clubs such as Chelsea and Boca Juniors were also scheduled to participate in the U-19 event.