Cas Rules For Club Over Country
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled that football clubs can stop their U23 players from playing at the Olympics, much to the disappointment of FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
The decision comes after Bundesliga sides Werder Bremen and Schalke and Spanish club Barcelona had appealed to the CAS on an earlier ruling from FIFA that stated it was mandatory for clubs to release young players to compete in Beijing.
A statement issued by the CAS on Wednesday read: ‘The Olympic tournament doesn’t feature in the official FIFA calendar and there is no executive decision by FIFA which establishes a right of release for U23 players for this tournament.’
However, FIFA President Sepp Blatter admitted to being ‘surprised and disappointed’ by the decision.
‘We respect the decision,’ he said.
‘Nevertheless, I appeal to the clubs: ‘Let your players take part in the Olympic Games! It would be an act of solidarity in perfect harmony with Olympic spirit. It would be wonderful for the players, for the fans and for the game itself,” he said.
It appears Werder Bremen and Schalke have taken Blatter’s comments to heart, releasing Brazilian players Rafinha and Diego respectively in an extraordinary U-turn to star for their international side. However, Barcelona winger Lionel Messi looks set to miss his defence of the Olympic crown for Argentina.
