Elite clubs in Euro 2004 threat

The row between Europe's elite clubs and FIFA over compensation for players on international duty escalated dramatically today.

G14, the group which represents top clubs including Real Madrid, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, have been pushing for a legal probe into the fact that clubs get no payment when their players are on international duty.

They won a huge battle today when the Swiss Competitions Commission announced it was opening a preliminary investigation into Zurich-based FIFA over the matter following the G14 complaint.

World football is now poised for a huge club-versus-country row which could change the face of the game.

If FIFA's rules are found to be against the law for fair-trading, the whole way international football is run could be in jeopardy.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has refused to negotiate with G-14, saying they have no official status.