FIFA appeals to clubs to release footballers for Games

FIFA President Sepp Blatter appealed Monday for under-23 players to be automatically available for the Olympic Games as legal wrangling continued to threaten the Brazil and Argentina squads.

Three days before the men's Olympic football competition starts on August 7, the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) was still deliberating on three appeals filed by Spanish and German clubs.

Barcelona do not want to release Argentina's Lionel Messi for the Beijing Games while Schalke (Rafinha) and Werder Bremen (Diego) want to withhold the two Brazilians.

The three players are already training in Beijing training with their squads.

“We are surprised by what has happened … These players have been asked to play for their national teams,” Blatter said.

“Twenty years ago we made the decision that the Olympic Games should be for players under 23. We have never had a complaint or put into question the automatic qualification of under-23 players.”

FIFA sent a letter to all member associations two weeks ago reminding them of their obligation to release players aged under 23 for the Olympics, and adding that preventing their appearance was counter to the spirit of the Games.

But the clubs argue that the Olympics are not part of the international football calendar and clash with their own season.

The CAS ruling is expected by August 6 and Blatter was adamant that even if it goes in favour of the clubs they should still release the players.

“I ask the teams in Germany and Spain, if the ruling is in their favour, to let the players play because they are already here,” he said.

“Let the players play. The players are the actors. Without the players there is no spectacle.

“It's not only a question of solidarity, but of respect for the Olympic spirit and to let such young players have the experience,” he said noting that AC Milan's Ronaldinho and Manchester United's Anderson are both included in the Brazil squad.

Messi has declared he wants to play for Argentina in the Olympics, but Barcelona president Joan Laporta has been quoted as saying if they win their appeal their 21-year-old star “will have to come back”.

If the Messi, Rafinha and Diego are denied a start in the Olympics, Blatter said they cannot be replaced because of a rule that says players can only replaced if they are injured before the start of the competition.