Big clubs only interested in money, blasts Platini

MICHEL PLATINI has criticised elite clubs for reducing football to a “question of money”, on the same day UEFA warned clubs they could be thrown out of their domestic leagues if they choose to break away from existing UEFA competitions.

A statement issued by UEFA responded to reports that the G14 group of clubs - which includes Man United, Arsenal and Liverpool - have considered breaking away to form a rival tournament to the Champions League, although those reports have been denied.

France legend Platini, who is a member of the UEFA executive committee and is a candidate to be their next president, claims the clubs are more interested in money than football.

“The G14 has no legitimacy, the clubs have the right to have their say but they must express themselves through already- existing structures, that is to say UEFA or the national federations,” said Platini in Budapest, where the G14 meeting took place.

“Everything has now become a question of money. The big clubs always want more, for them the sport is a way of making money.

“This race for money does not restore credibility to football. This sport is already crippled by violence, racism and a bad reputation.

“I sometimes feel there are no values anymore in this sport.”

UEFA’s statement read: “UEFA will not stand in the way of those who want to leave the family (which also means the domestic competitions) and who do not share our sporting values.”

Meanwhile, UEFA also defended their position on ensuring players are released to play for their national teams.

Belgian outfit Charleroi are seeking £864,000 in compensation from FIFA after their Moroccan midfielder Abdelmajid Oulmers suffered an injury with his national side on November 17, 2004.

The G14 are supporting the case and are asking FIFA to pay £595million compensation for the release of all their players in the past 10 years.

“A self-appointed group of clubs has challenged this rule,” UEFA’s statement added.

“They are not interested in protecting competition but only interested in protecting themselves and their economic interests and in dictating their conditions on others.

“This group of clubs does not care if there is less competition between nations and less competition between clubs.

“But UEFA does care and that is why we will defend the rule and are working together with FIFA to do so.”