British Trio Pressing To Join G14

Chelsea, Rangers and Celtic are among a number of top European teams applying
pressure to join the football club powerbroker group G14.

The British trio are towards the ‘top of the pile’ of new applicants to G14
which currently represents 18 European clubs, with Arsenal, Liverpool and
Manchester United all part of the group.

Confirmed G14 general manager Thomas Kurth: ‘We hope to expand to double our
membership by the end of the year. We’ll outline the criteria in the coming
months, one of which is already agreed and that’s sporting excellence.

‘But if a club has a geographical advantage, this could compensate for a poor
ranking.’

Formed in 2000 to give its members a greater voice in the running of the
game, the G14 admitted four further clubs in 2002. The body has consistently
fallen foul of UEFA and FIFA who are both concerned about G14’s growing power.

Meanwhile Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has been elected David Dein’s
successor as president of the G14. Dein resigned following his departure from
his role as Arsenal vice-chairman.