Clubs vs. the Olympics

[superfrank]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olym...ll/7518008.stm

I think this is potentially a very big story. Club vs. country, but more importantly, the Olympics.

I'm glad to see FIFA stood up to Barca. Hopefully, CAS will allow Messi to play at the Olympics.

I think it's important because Messi has said he wanted to play but still Barca refuse to let him go, despite the set regulations.

[noby]

Fifa ruled on Wednesday that clubs must release players aged 23 or under for the Olympics if they are requested.

But Fifa said: "The judge determined that the international match calendar is not of relevance in establishing whether clubs are obliged to release players for the Men's Olympic Football Tournament."

That sounds more like fudging rather than standing up to them. They're just going along with the judge's decision. Of course what FIFA (or UEFA) should have done was to take into consideration that every four years this tournament takes place, and not to set european football matches on the same time.

[Dodge]

That sounds more like fudging rather than standing up to them. They're just going along with the judge's decision. Of course what FIFA (or UEFA) should have done was to take into consideration that every four years this tournament takes place, and not to set european football matches on the same time.

Impossible to do (and its not only european clubs that are losing players)

The ruling means that clubs must allow players to leave but can't call off games because of absences.

Right decision IMO. I think Rangers sacked Craig Moore because he chose to go to the last Olympics rather than stay with Rangers for their league campaign. Robert Ayala claims winning the Olympics is the highlight of his career

[noby]

Fair enough, it is impossible to do, especially on a world-wide scale. But why did FIFA only make the ruling on Wednesday. It sounds like they had their head in the sand, and were just hoping it wouldn't become an issue.

[Dodge]

Fair enough, it is impossible to do, especially on a world-wide scale. But why did FIFA only make the ruling on Wednesday. It sounds like they had their head in the sand, and were just hoping it wouldn't become an issue.

Because Barceloan only challenged it last week. Previously clubs grumbled about it but did nothing