G14 to disband after meeting with FIFA and UEFA

FIFA UEFA on Tuesday decided to amicably settle their bitter disputes with Europe's top clubs, and all sides agreed to create a wide-ranging independent European Club Association to replace the restricted G14.

In a landmark agreement ending years of open acrimony between both sides, the G14 is now committed to stop court challenges against FIFA, which promised to give major clubs a better say in the running of the game and compensation if their players compete in major championships.

"We have reached this positive conclusion by taking care of the legitimate aspirations and requests of clubs to access the decision-making levels of international football," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said after daylong talks at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.

The G14, which includes Europe's 18 most powerful clubs, said that by "entering into a real and mature dialogue with the clubs, UEFA and FIFA have signaled their intention to correct the imbalance that exists in the governance of the game."

The G14 is now set to disband on Feb. 15, making way for the European Club Association.

The most important grievances of the G14 centered on the compensation for and insurance of players on international duty and changes in the international calendar beneficial to club competitions.

"A number of long-standing issues, such as the compensation for player participation in European Championships and World Cups should be resolved," the G14 statement said.

UEFA FIFA issued a joint statement in which they said they "will enter into a series of commitments including financial contributions for player participation in European Championships and World Cups, subject to the approval of their respective bodies."

On Jan. 21, UEFA will propose the creation of the European Club Association. It would have more than 100 members, including one from each of Europe's 53 national associations.

Apart being independent and recognized by UEFA, the European Club Association's exact relationship with European soccer's governing body was unclear.