FIFA President Sepp Blatter said in Beijing Monday that the game’s world governing body will review Olympic soccer regulations before the 2012 games to avoid a repeat of the current row between clubs and country over the release of players.
With just three days until the start of the Olympic soccer competition, the Court of Arbitration for Sport is due to rule some time this week on whether or not Spanish giants Barcelona and German clubs Schalke and Hamburg are obliged to release certain players. Barcelona wants Argentine midfielder Lionel Messi, already in Beijing, for a Champions League qualifier, while the Bundesliga kicks off Aug. 15.
Blatter urged the clubs to “let the players play,” but admitted that an urgent review is required. “In the future I think it is necessary we have an exact and precise ruling,” he said. “It is not only a question of solidarity. It is also a question of respect to the Olympic spirit to let the young players have the experience. We need the leagues and the clubs but we need players. Even if the [CAS] ruling is negative for the players they should stay here, they should play here.”