Clubs owed for international players, says Gill

MANCHESTER UNITED chief executive David Gill has warned FIFA the policy of clubs releasing players for internationals without compensation cannot continue.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter remains opposed to paying top clubs to release their players and has cut off all contact with the G14 group of clubs who have lodged a formal complaint against the world governing body to the Swiss competition authorities.

“As a Premier League club, we want a successful England team and the competitions they play in increase football’s popularity around the world,” Gill said.

“We are not saying you shouldn’t have championships, but the fact the governing bodies can generate vast amounts of money in sponsorship and TV revenue through an asset they get for free is something that just cannot continue.

“We are waiting to see what FIFA’s response is to the complaint we have put forward to the competition authorities but there has to be scope for FIFA and UEFA to slice some of the profits they make from major tournaments to repay the clubs who provide the assets which provide the income.”

Gill’s club have handed over their Carrington training complex to the England squad this week ahead of Saturday’s World Cup qualifier with Wales, with Alex Ferguson virtually abandoning training at United, having lost 18 first-team squad members.

Of the seven not required for international duty, Paul Scholes has just retired from the England scene, while Louis Saha and Wes Brown would have been selected had they not been recovering from injury.

Saha picked up his knee problem during France’s trip to the Faroe Islands, while Gary Neville also missed three United games after fracturing a kneecap in England’s win over Poland in September.

United will not receive any compensation for the disruption, even though FIFA and UEFA cream off vast profits from the World Cup and European Championships.

United and other like-minded major European clubs are working through the 102-member European Club Forum to try to get their point across.

Gill claims there was “unequivocal support” for the principle of payment for players, even if it is only established for those who compete in the finals.

“We are not looking for a pound for pound reimbursement,” he said.

“Everyone recognises the English FA has more money than the Azerbaijan FA, that is why we believe the funds should come out of a central pot.

“If you look at UEFA, 82% of the revenue generated from the Champions League is distributed as prize money, while the other 18% is retained for putting on the competition, their offices and good causes.

“It is transparent and the clubs understand it.

“But if you look at an analysis of what they made out of Euro 2004, the indications are they could use some of that money to reimburse the clubs.

“I am not saying it is easy and I am not saying it won’t take some time but there is a growing understanding both within the authorities and the clubs that this matter needs to be resolved.”