French club side Olympique Lyon has today initiated a legal battle against FIFA, following the injury sustained by Eric Abidal in the International Friendly match against Costa Rica played in Martinique in November.

The legal action is also backed by the G14 Club which has AC Milan, Real Madrid, Ajax, Liverpool, Juventus, Bayern Munchen, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, PSV Eindhoven, Porto, Olympique de Marseille, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Olympique Lyonnais and Valencia CF as its members.

In their claim, Olympique Lyonnais are basing their accusations on the fact that FIFA rules state that it is mandatory for clubs to release players on International fixture dates, even if it is an International friendly game, and that this rule violates European laws of competition. The G14 club of Europe's top football clubs is backing Lyon's legal battle with financial aid.

The French Champions are demanding 1 million euros as compensation.

It is the second time the G14 have backed such a claim, after it also backed the Belgian team Charleroi on a similar claim against FIFA, filed in September. Thomas Kurth, director general of the G-14, told reporters that Eric Abidal's case was "another example of how clubs are disadvantaged by FIFA rules."

"These rules are created without consultation and applied without appeal. Until this fundamental lack of democracy in the governance of the game is addressed and these rules amended, we will continue to pursue change through whatever means are open to us," he added.

The G14 club argues that FIFA refuses to contribute towards player salaries, even though clubs lose money each time their players get injured in international friendlies.

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas said that he did not want the player to travel to play in the Costa Rica game, where Abidal cracked a bone on his leg, and will consequently stay out of action until at least February.

"We have decided to take FIFA to a French court, with the support of the G14 and the union of French professional clubs... The problem is that we employers have no power and are never consulted. There is no respect for the rights of clubs that suffer the consequences. This way of operating must stop. It's not a question of money, but of principle", Aulas told reporters.

The money will cover Lyon's damages in wages, payroll and administration charges occuring from the 10 million euro price paid by Lyon to Lille for signing Abidal in 2004.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said that it was the clubs' responsibility to insure their players and not FIFA's. He added that Abidal was playing for his National Federation and he could choose not to participate. He said that the lawsuit indicated a "lack of discipline and respect towards FIFA."

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