FIFA and G14 can find solution, EU sports chief says

A solution can be found in the bitter legal battle between soccer's world governing body FIFA and Europe's top clubs, the European Union's top sports regulator said.

The G14, which represents 18 of the world's most powerful clubs, is involved in a dispute with FIFA over a number of issues, notably two court cases related to the release of players for internationals and compensation if they get injured.

One case taken against FIFA by Belgian first division club Charleroi and the G14 has been referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) - the EU's highest court.

The second case is pending in the French courts involving Olympique Lyon.

"I believe there is a logical solution that can be reached on both sides," EU Sports Commissioner Jan Figel told Reuters.

"Of course, this issue is now before the courts but I believe there is a clear relation between the two when national teams and the club should be connected in the area of costs incurred for training or losses. It is logical."

Figel was speaking after the launch of an EU strategy paper on how sport should be run across the 27-nation bloc covering areas such as soccer agents, security, club ownership and labour laws to financing of sport and drugs abuse.

The EU sports chief urged all sports bodies to avoid going to court to settle their disputes, which he said is the main reason for the strategy paper he was responsible for developing.

"Court cases only cost time and money and damage sport, they should be avoided at all costs," Figel said.

"We prefer to nurture and increase the capability of a sports organisation to solve its problems by itself."

UEFA, which governs soccer in Europe, welcomed in particular the EU executive's findings in relation to national teams. FIFA said it was still analysing the document, while the G14 decided not to comment.

The strategy paper added: "In particular, national teams play an essential role not only in terms of identity but also to secure solidarity with grassroots sport, and therefore deserve to be supported."

William Gaillard, advisor to UEFA president Michel Platini, said: "This is a major move forward from the original text whereby the Commission said it would restrain from giving its opinion until after the court case."

The Commission will be asked to give its opinion to the ECJ before the Charleroi case is heard but Figel said the paper should not be interpreted as the EU executive's final recommendation to the Luxembourg-based court.