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G14 - 18 elite European clubs decided at today's meeting in Valencia to boycott the Club World Cup, despite FIFA's efforts to reach an agreement with these clubs.
The clubs motivated their decision by the fact that they already have to participate in many championships, and players do not get enough rest because of it.
"We are satisfied with the championships we already participate in and we certainly do not want to play more matches," said Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, president of Bayern Munich. "No G14 club will participate in the Club World Cup and this decision is final."
Manchester United, belonging to G14, participated in the first and so far only Club World Cup held in Brazil in 2000. The tournament that was supposed to take place in Spain in 2001 did not happen because FIFA did not reach an agreement with the main sponsor.
Meanwhile, FIFA claims to be convinced that clubs belonging to G14 will participate in its tournaments.
FIFA plans to hold this championship with the following principle: African, Asian, CONCACAF and Oceania champions play knockout matches, and the 2 winning clubs meet the European and South American champions in the semifinals.
