Munich  - Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge Wednesday rejected a claim from the players' association FIFPro of an agreement between clubs to get round a FIFA statute on transfers.

Rummenigge, who is chairman of European Club Association (ECA), called on FIFPro to withdraw it statement and distance itself from any moves which could lead to a player breaking a contract.

The statement follows comments from Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness who warned Tuesday Real Madrid and other top clubs not to attempt a cheap hiring of French star Franck Ribery through a little-used article in FIFA's statutes.

Article 17 from world governing body FIFA's statutes states that a player aged 23-28 may get out of a four- or five-year contract after three years for a compensation fee if he moves to another country.

However FIFPro said there were suggestions of an agreement among clubs not to make use of the article, saying that "mutual agreements within the ECA point towards a cartel formation."

Rummenigge said that ECA wanted to make it clear in response to "the wrong accusations from FIFPro ... that such an agreement, of whatever kind, does not exist."

He said ECA reserved the right to seek damages from any third party which by its actions led a player to breaking a contract.

"I find it absurd that a 'union' calls on a player who earns millions to break a contract. Here a line has been crossed which is no longer acceptable," he said.

Article 17 is known as the "Webster" rule, in reference to a landmark ruling through which Scottish player Andy Webster forced a transfer in 2006, after which FIFA had to bring its rules up to date with the European Union's freedom of movement for workers.

The compensation is based on the player's salary at his former club, his value and the transfer fee it originally paid for him.

Ribery, 26, will have completed three seasons next year and he could leave for around 20 million euros (27 million dollars), less than the 25 million Bayern paid for him in
2007 and far less than the 80 million they are said to be demanding now.

Real are said be ready to pay 55 million euros for Ribery now, but the Spanish media suggested on Monday that they may wait 12 months to use article 17 for a much cheaper hiring.

FIFPro mentioned Ribery in a statement on Sunday and said it was bringing the case to the attention of the European Commission and FIFA.

The statement said that Munich and ECA chairman Rummenigge had mentioned that the ECA clubs have agreed not to use article 17.

"If the clubs are free to push aside the FIFA rules which are applicable worldwide, it will henceforth be impossible to maintain the international rule of law within football," said FIFPro lawyer Wil van Megen in the statement.

"Mutual agreements within the ECA point towards cartel formation and are unacceptable. In view of the tough stance taken by European Commissioner Kroes with regard to previous cartel agreements, I also expect there to be strong intervention in this case." (dpa)