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Barca fight
FIFA’s ruling on Messi
Barcelona have
lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after
Fifa ruled the club must release Lionel Messi for the Olympic Games.
The Catalan side are reluctant to let the 21-year-old Argentine
forward go but Messi is keen to play in Beijing.
Fifa ruled last Wednesday that clubs must release players aged 23 or
under for the Olympics if a nation requests them.
Barcelona join German clubs Schalke and Werder Bremen in appealing
to the CAS after losing key players to the Games.
"The CAS has registered an appeal from FC Barcelona against the
decision made by the single judge of the Fifa players' status
committee regarding the release of players for the Olympic Games,"
said a CAS statement.
"This appeal will be handled together with the appeals filed by FC
Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen against the same Fifa decision.
"The CAS will deliver its final ruling on or before 6 August 2008."
The three clubs argue the case that Olympic matches are not part of
the international football calendar.
However, 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."
"Taking part in the Olympic Games is a unique opportunity for all
athletes of any sporting discipline.
"It would not be justifiable to prevent any player younger than 23
from participating in such an event if his representative team had
qualified."
Barcelona want Messi for the first leg of their Champions League
third qualifying round tie on August 12.
But with the Olympic football tournament set to begin on August 7
they would have to make do without their star player.
Messi revealed he understood Barcelona's position but it was a dream
for him to play in an Olympic team for Argentina.
He stated: "From the beginning I've said that I want to play for my
national team and I've never had problems until now.
"If I get there and the CAS says I have to come back then I will
come back.
"For the moment I want to be with my national team and my
team-mates."
Barcelona president Joan Laporta said they would discuss with Messi
what to do next.
"We understand that it will be very difficult to retain the player
and for him to take part in our tour of the United States," he
commented.
"The normal thing will be for him to now go to join Argentina but if
the CAS makes a decision in our favour then he will have to come
back."
Schalke — who also feature in the Champions League qualifiers — must
release Brazil's Rafinha, while Werder Bremen must allow his
national team-mate Diego to go to the Games.
AC Milan have already told Brazil that they will not allow Kaka to
play in the Olympics, while AC Milan's new signing Ronaldinho and
Manchester United's Anderson are both included in Brazil's 18-man
Olympic squad.
Real Madrid have asked Brazil to release Robinho from Olympic duty
because of a suspected groin injury.
The 24-year-old has more than 50 Brazil caps and is a reported
target for Chelsea.
Real Madrid revealed their doctors had said Robinho's injury was
discovered when he turned up for a medical examination and light
training along with most of the club's squad.
Robinho revealed: "Unhappily, I can't go with Brazil to the Games
but it is Real Madrid's decision and I respect it."
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