Europe's leading clubs want governing bodies FIFA and UEFA to stump up the cash for players' wages during international tournaments, according to Barcelona president Sandro Rosell. Rosell wants the top European domestic leagues cut to 16 teams and proposes the money-spinning UEFA Champions League should be expanded. And the Spaniard has warned UEFA that leading clubs may break away unless their demands are met. Speaking at a conference in Doha, he said clubs had opened discussions with the two bodies over the payment of players during the World Cup and European Championships. Income "The worst case scenario is that we will go away from UEFA." Sandro Rosell Quotes of the week Rosell added: "That could happen in the near future because we don't think it is fair that we pay the salaries and they use our players and get income using our players. "This is something that has to be treated very seriously." The Barca chief believes 20 teams in England's Premier League, along with Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A, is too many. Premier League teams have previously resisted attempts to cut numbers, but Rosell believes the lure of an enlarged Champions League could convince English clubs. He said: "The objective of reducing from 20 to 16 is to give more space to our players. "Once the dates are liberated, these dates are not for the national federations. They are for the clubs to organise friendly games or to increase the European competitions." Breakaway UEFA's agreement with the European Club Association, the organisation representing over 200 of the continent's biggest clubs, expires in 2014. Rosell warned clubs may decide to go alone if a new agreement cannot be reached. He said: "If this doesn't happen then the worst case scenario is that we will go away from UEFA."
