FIFA opens talks with European club leaders

Published Jan. 18, 2012 9:14 a.m. ET

foxsports

FIFA and Europe's top clubs have met to improve their troubled relationship and open talks on paying clubs more from World Cup revenues.

FIFA says president Sepp Blatter and European Club Association leader Karl-Heinz Rummenigge led a ''productive'' meeting Wednesday.

Rummenigge and the 200-member ECA have criticized Blatter about his leadership of the scandal-hit FIFA and unwillingness to negotiate with clubs.

Clubs want FIFA to fund injury insurance for international players and increase compensation for releasing players to the World Cup. FIFA has pledged to share $70 million among clubs after the 2014 tournament.

FIFA's anti-corruption reforms also were discussed. The ECA was not represented when FIFA appointed a ''solutions'' advisory panel last month.