(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-01-22 11:07

COURT CASES

The imminent dissolution of G14, due to be confirmed at their next general assembly in Brussels on February 15, is also expected to herald the end of three pending court cases.

"As a sign of their commitment and goodwill, member clubs will take the formal decision to dissolve G14 and to withdraw its claims in court," a G14 spokesman said.

"G14 clubs are fully committed to engaging in this initiative and believe the European Club Association should be the sole independent organisation to represent the clubs."

The G14 has been backing Charleroi against FIFA in a court case centred on the Belgian club's player Abdelmajid Oulmers who was prevented from playing for eight months after getting injured while playing for Morocco in November 2004.

Similar cases brought by Olympique Lyon in France and Atletico Madrid in Spain are also expected to be dropped.

"This is a day of reunification for the football family," said Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of the new club association.

"The lawsuits will be dropped and it is a sign we are on the right path and the many misunderstandings and legal actions are now a part of the past."

Further concessions made in favour of the clubs include an agreement the second game of 'double-header' international matches will be played on Tuesdays, rather than Wednesdays, allowing players one more day to recover before their next domestic matches.

FIFA also agreed clubs will only have to release players for one friendly a year played outside of their own continent.

UEFA said "whenever possible" it would limit the number of teams taking part in European championship qualifying groups to six, further cutting the amount of international matches.

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