The FAI has warned that a landmark court ruling due shortly could prevent it from playing top Irish players in international matches. The association's chief executive John Delaney said yesterday that the case, which pitches some of Europe's richest clubs such as Manchester United against the world governing body for football Fifa, could have very serious consequences for Irish soccer.

"If the clubs are successful we would not be able to afford to play our stars in matches," said Delaney, who visited Brussels yesterday to lobby the European Commission and European Parliament on the issues involved in the court case.

The case is being heard in Belgium where the club Charleroi, backed by the G14 group representing 18 of Europe's top clubs, is seeking compensation from a national football association for one of its players who was injured while on international duty.

The case involves Moroccan midfielder Abdelmajid Oulmers, who was injured for eight months after playing in a friendly in 2004. Charleroi allege the loss of the player hindered their chances of league and cup success.

But it is the wider implications of the judgement that is causing concern among national football associations. The top European clubs want the associations to cover the wages of players taking part in international matches and players' salaries for the duration of any injury picked up while on international duty. The case, which will set a legal precedent, is likely to be referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

Delaney said that if the clubs won the argument it could cost the FAI about €750,000 per match to play top Irish players such as Damien Duff and Robbie Keane. He said the cost of covering wages if players got injured would also be a huge burden for the FAI, which is estimated to generate revenue of €24 million this year.

The FAI's current insurance bill is €50 to 60,000 per match and covers injured players wages for 26 weeks up to a capital value of €8 million, according to Delaney.

The FAI met internal market commissioner Charlie McCreevy to lobby on behalf of small football associations. His directorate in the commission could play a pivotal role if the Belgian case is referred to the ECJ to rule on the basic elements of European legislation.

In most ECJ cases the commission prepares a report on its opinion that is submitted for consideration to the presiding judges of Europe's top court in Luxembourg.