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G14 to disband

The G14 group of powerful European clubs has confirmed that the organisation in its current form is to be disbanded, reports the Guardian.

After talks in Brussels between the clubs and representatives of the sport's governing bodies last week the organisation has agreed to dissolve and be reformed as a larger, more representative body including a larger number of clubs from more European countries.

At the weekend G14's president, Jean-Michel Aulas, confirmed that a new organisation will eventually replace it: "G14's initiative to promote a completely new organisation to represent the interests of clubs at European and international level has stimulated the interest of the game's governing bodies," he said.

"G14's members are convinced that this new organisation for clubs should be the driver of change leading to a correction of the imbalance that exists in the governance of the game at European and international levels."

The group's general manager, Thomas Kurth, said the new organisation would replace both the G14 and Uefa's European club forum. "We believe that a truly independent organisation for the clubs which is also recognised by the governing bodies would be the best result for football, provided this means that clubs are adequately represented on the decision-making bodies in Uefa and Fifa," he said.

"By denying the clubs a proper involvement in the decision-taking process and by refusing to seek solutions to the wide range of problems including the organisation of players released by clubs to national teams and the harmonisation of the international calendar, the governing bodies were a causal factor in the creation of G14 in 2000. G14 will exist until appropriate solutions to these problems are found.

"G14's president and board members will continue to engage positively with Uefa knowing that the creation of the new organisation for clubs, coupled with Uefa's new, more inclusive approach, as championed by Uefa president Michel Platini, will give a fresh impetus to our discussions and which we hope will lead to a harmonious cooperation which benefits the whole of the football family."

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