Liverpool boss Benitez demands change to FIFA rules

BERLIN, June 10 (Reuters) Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants FIFA regulations changed and his club to be compensated for the broken leg suffered by their France striker Djibril Cisse in a World Cup warm-up match with China last week.

Cisse was expected to leave Liverpool in the close season but no transfer can now be arranged while he recovers from the fracture that cost him his place in France's World Cup squad.

Liverpool signed the forward from AJ Auxerre for 15 million pounds (27.65 million dollars) in 2004 and Benitez is upset his club can expect no compensation for the injury because it happened while the player was on international duty.

''When I spoke at the UEFA coaches meeting last season, this was one of the important issues I raised,'' the Liverpool manager told the Premier League club's official website.

''In this situation, we have a player who has cost Liverpool a lot of money injured preparing for a World Cup. Now we have to face the cost. There are wages to pay and also we can't sell the player.

''It's clear there is a problem with the rules. As a club, not only have we lost a player we have lost big money.

''I believe FIFA or the national associations should pay the clubs in these situations.

''FIFA is a very wealthy organisation and they make a lot of money from the World Cup. They should insure the value of the players they want to participate.

''If they're not prepared to pay for this, okay, maybe the clubs should say the players can't play.'' IN DISPUTE FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren told Reuters: ''FIFA are aware of the case, of course, and of Mr Benitez's comments. We cannot comment on individual cases although this will be dealt with in due course.'' FIFA are in dispute with Belgian club Charleroi in a similar case that has been referred by a Belgian court to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.

That case, which opened in Charleroi in March, was brought by the Belgian club against soccer's world governing body because one of their players, Abdelmajid Oulmers, returned injured from a friendly he played for Morocco last year.

UEFA, as well as four other continental confederations and 49 of its member associations, has formally intervened in the case in support of FIFA. The G14 group of major European clubs has backed Charleroi.

Cisse has since been replaced in the France squad by Sidney Govou. The French play Switzerland, Togo and South Korea in their opening round Group G games at the World Cup.

REUTERS DH BST1705