FIFA president Sepp Blatter has warned Europe’s richest clubs he is ready to go to “war” over the issue of releasing players for international matches.
The club versus country battle has made the headlines in recent weeks due to a court case taking place in Belgium involving Charleroi. The Belgian first division outfit have demanded financial compensation from FIFA after one of their players, Abdelmajid Oulmers, was injured playing for Morocco in 2004.
While the G14 has not said it would stop players representing their countries, it has thrown its collective weight behind Charleroi.
“If they are rich, why do they ask for more money?” Blatter said during a visit to Tunisia.
“It’s the world upside down.”
Blatter also accused G-14 clubs of “pillaging” Africa to find new players.
“If they want a world war, they will get one,” Blatter said Monday.
Blatter also warned that clubs that if they refuse to release players for their national teams they could be kicked out of international club competitions.
“You have to got to hit them where it hurts,” Blatter said.
The G14 group is also supporting French champions Lyon in a similar case after their defender Eric Abidal cracked a bone in his foot in France’s 3-2 friendly victory over Costa Rica in November.
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