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Argentina determined to keep Messi

CAS rules clubs not obliged to release players

— Photo: AP

WILL HE, WON’T HE?: Argentina’s Lionel Messi is caught in a tricky situation with his national coach wanting him to stay back in Beijing in defiance of a CAS ruling.

BEIJING: Argentina ignited a major international football row on Wednesday by insisting superstar attacker Lionel Messi will make a controversial Olympic Games debut.

Sergio Batista, the coach of the defending Olympic champion, placed himself firmly on a collision course with Messi’s Barcelona employers who want the 21-year-old to play in a Champions League tie instead.

“The player is here and will remain with the team. He will start Thursday’s game (against Ivory Coast in Shanghai) from the beginning and I’m sure he can be with us for the rest of the competition,” said Batista.

The coach’s defiant stand came just hours after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that clubs were not obliged to release players for the Olympics.

Major implications

The Lausanne-based CAS’s ruling also had major implications for Argentina’s fellow South American giant Brazil ahead of the start of Thursday’s tournament, primarily an under-23 event although teams can field over-age players.

Barcelona, Werder Bremen and Schalke had all been fighting to keep their young stars — Argentina’s Messi and Brazil’s Diego and Rafinha — out of the Games, which clash with their own season after appealing an earlier ruling by FIFA which said players must be allowed to compete in Beijing.

However, in a late development, Schalke and Werder Bremen offered to let Rafinha and Diego stay with Brazil.

Asked if Messi will return to Spain in the light of the CAS ruling, Batista said: “Not at this time, no. I have spoken with him and he wants to stay here with the rest of the team.

“I hope this decision will not have any effects on other teams with players who are coming to this tournament. Every coach would want Messi in his team. Hopefully, Barcelona can take the decision that he stays here.”

Blatter surprised but…

Earlier, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he was “surprised and disappointed by the decision, but we respect it”.

He added: “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.

“FIFA’s opinion has not changed. The Olympic football tournaments are high level competitions that give everyone involved — most notably young players — the chance to gain international experience that will stand them in good stead in the future.

“It stands to reason, therefore, that it is not only the player who will benefit from such an experience, but also his club. I regret that the CAS has not taken the Olympic spirit into consideration.”

Major qualifier

Both Barcelona and Schalke have Champions League qualifiers during the Olympics, where the football final takes place on August 22.

Normally, clubs must release players for internationals.

But CAS, explaining its decision, said: “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 under-23 players for this tournament.

“Consequently, the clubs are not obliged to release the players.”

It added: “CAS appeals to the good sense of the clubs and FIFA to find a reasonable solution which will allow a player who wishes to represent his country to compete in the Olympic Games.” — Agencies

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