|
2008-08-06 18:33
|
|
|
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled Wednesday that German sides Werder Bremen and Schalke 04, along with Barcelona, are under no legal obligation to release players for the Olympics but urged all sides to show goodwill and reach a compromise. The Lausanne-based court upheld an appeal by the clubs after FIFA last month ruled that all clubs must allow eligible players to attend next month's Beijing Games. FIFA's decision meant Barcelona star Lionel Messi, 21, could compete for Argentina, while Werder Bremen would have had to release Diego, 23, to play for Brazil alongside Schalke 04's Rafinha, 22. Both Barcelona and Schalke have Champions League qualifiers during the Olympics, which ends on August 24, while Bremen want Diego for the start of the Bundesliga on August 15. CAS said in a statement that it "call(s) upon the good will and good sense of FIFA and the clubs to find a reasonable solution with regard to players who wish to represent their country at the Olympic Games." FIFA said in a reaction that it was "disappointed" by the ruling but urged the clubs to still let the players come to Beijing. "FIFA is surprised and disappointed by this decision, but we respect it. "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 the Olympic spirit. It would be wonderful for the players, for the fans and for the game itself?," said FIFA President Sepp Blatter | |
| 共:1条记录 |