France coach Domenech no fan of G-14

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-04-27 08:57

PARIS, April 26 - France coach Raymond Domenech feels the G-14, the lobbying group for the top European clubs, represents a danger to soccer.

"We have to protect this sport against money and against the G-14's desire for hegemony," Domenech told Thursday's issue of French daily Le Monde.

"I fear the closed circuit that the 18 clubs in this lobbying group are trying to form," he added.

Domenech's comments are akin to those of football's most powerful men like FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini who do not recognise the group.

Former UEFA president Lennart Johansson never recognised the G-14 during his long reign either claiming they were not an official body.

The France coach said the G-14's demand for federations to compensate clubs when players are on international duty would be a problem for some countries.

"If Ivory Coast have to pay compensation fees for (Chelsea striker) Didier Drogba, they would need to change the state's budget," he said.

Domenech said he was not totally against the idea of compensation, but only under certain conditions.

"If that proposal were accepted, I would recommend the federations get a share of transfer fees," the France coach said.

"A player who is rated, let's say 10, can be worth 100 after a World Cup or a European Championship."




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