'If the players do not go to Beijing, would be an attack against the Olympic spirit'

The president of Fifa, Joseph Blatter has confirmed that clubs with players under 23 years are obliged to release them to come to the Olympic Games in Beijing, since failure to do so "could be interpreted as an affront to the spirit Olympic. "

Thus, Blatter contradicts what was said this morning by the Professional Football League (LFP), in a letter to FC Barcelona, was in favour of Lionel Messi, selected by Argentina, not travel to Beijing as calling from the offices of the club.

But not only the LFP has manifested itself in this aspect, but also the partnership Club Europe (ACE) has supported to FC Barcelona.

Only 15 days to the start of the Olympic Games, there are many clubs who have refused to cede their players in an age where most are making the preseason and preparation phase until the beginning of the respective leagues. Diego, Werder Bremen, and Messi are just two cases that had joined a long list.

Therefore, Blatter has intervened and has sent a circular to all member associations of Fife to make it clear that "the release of players younger than 23 years has always been compulsory for all clubs, and this same principle applies to Beijing 2008. "

"The fact that this tournament is not included in the international calendar of matches does not mean that the clubs concerned are not bound to release players," he added.

Therefore, the president of Fifa had wanted to be blunt regarding the participation of players younger than 23 years in Beijing: "Obstructing the participation of players under 23 in the final stage of the tournament could be interpreted as an attack on the Olympic spirit Because these players form the core of the teams participating in the Olympic Football Tournament male, "he concluded.

The club meets emergency following the announcement of Blatter

The Barcelona received with surprise and an emergency meeting of the Fifa decision ordering the release of Leo Messi to dispute the Olympics with Argentina.

According to a spokesman for the club to club dpa, managers gathered near the legal team to discuss a response to the statement of Fife, whose order is "unsatisfactory" for the interests of Barcelona.(elmundo)