The G14 group of elite soccer clubs, meeting in Milan, has called on UEFA to introduce a "fair and open" tender for the marketing rights to the Champions League.

But the call met with a frosty response yesterday from UEFA chief executive Gerhard Aigner, who said it was "neither needed nor helpful". "We do not need guidance from G-14 on the future of the marketing strategy for the Champions League," Aigner added.

The G-14 group, which formalised its association six months ago with a constitution and offices in Brussels, includes giants of the game such as AC Milan, Juventus, Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Ajax.