Reasons for G-14 expansion
G-14 clubs gathered in Monaco for their statutory General Assembly meeting on 30 August 02, unanimously adopted the proposal to extend the invitation to become new members to four European clubs.
G-14 clubs gathered in Monaco for their statutory General Assembly meeting on 30 August 02, unanimously adopted the proposal to extend the invitation to become new members to four European clubs.
G-14 took a decisive step in its development with an unanimous vote to invite the following clubs to join the group:
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Germany) winners of one UEFA CUP title.
- Valencia CF (Spain) winners of one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
title.
- Arsenal FC (England) winners of one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
title.
- Olympique Lyonnais (France)
Although several clubs have made applications to join the Grouping in the past, G-14 founding member clubs came to the conclusion that in order to maintain G-14's basic philosophy, dynamism and vision of football, expansion by invitation may be the most appropriate measure to ensure the Grouping has the strength to meet future challenges.
The four clubs invited have expressed themselves satisfied and enthusiastic about joining G-14.
The Grouping will maintain the name G-14, in recognition of the pioneering role, which the 14 historic clubs played in founding the Grouping. It is also clear that G-14 is becoming an ever more recognized player on the international club football scene.
Within the overall guidelines regarding Group development, the policy of expansion aims to:
- encourage the Group's dynamism by demonstrating its open
spirit
- reinforce the position of G-14 clubs in the market place
- increase the relevance of G-14
It is therefore natural that the first clubs invited to join G-14 are from England, France, Spain and Germany.
As for any possible future expansion, the Grouping does not exclude opening itself to clubs from leagues not currently represented in G-14.