Liverpool may call Ryan Babel back from the Olympic
Games
Rafael Benitez could use a decision from the Court of
Arbitration for Sport to keep Ryan Babel at Liverpool during the
Beijing Olympic Games. Three European clubs won their appeal to
keep their players out of the Olympic football
tournament.
CAS ruled that Lionel Messi, Diego and Rafinha can be kept out
of the Beijing Games by their respective clubs Barcelona, Werder
Bremen and Schalke. The news that such a major sporting figure as
Messi will not take part in Beijing will come as a major blow to
the Olympics on the eve of the Games.
But Argentina later insisted Messi would play in the Games
depite the ruling. It has been widely reported that Benitez was
reluctant to release Babel to the Netherlands, and with Steven
Gerrard an injury doubt for their Champions League qualifier
against Standard Liege his absence will be even more keenly
felt.
Benitez could in theory also use the ruling to prevent Javier
Mascherano playing for Argentina. And Manchester City will have
seen the news with interest, with their new striker Joe set to play
for Brazil in China.
CAS secretary-general Matthieu Reeb said the three-member panel
ruled in favor of the clubs because the Olympic tournament is not
on FIFA's match calendar, and because there was no evidence that
the football body's executive board obliged the clubs to release
the players.
The three-member panel consisted of Efraim Barak of Israel,
Michele Bernasconi of Switzerland and Ralph Zloczower of
Switzerland. FIFA ruled on July 30 that the players must be
released for the Olympic tournament because they are under 23.
Messi plays for Argentina, and Diego and Rafinha play for
Brazil. 'This decision does not affect the eligibility status of
the players who have been validly entered by their national Olympic
committee and who remain fully eligible to compete in Olympic Games
of Beijing 2008,' CAS said.
The men's Olympic football tournament is for players 23 and
under, with three exceptions for older players. But Barcelona,
Werder Bremen and Schalke complained they do not want to lose their
players for the start of the season.
Both Barcelona and Schalke are scheduled to play Champions
League qualifying matches during the Olympics, and they could lose
out on millions of pounds if they fail to reach the group
stage.
Reeb also said there was nothing to prohibit other clubs from
challenging FIFA and getting their players back from the Olympic
tournament. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said in a statement
it would respect the CAS ruling. He said '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.'
'The Olympic Football Tournaments are a unique opportunity for a
player as they 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 for the
future.
'It stands to reason, therefore, that it is not only the player
and his national team who can benefit from such an experience, but
also his club. 'I regret that the CAS has not taken the Olympic
spirit into consideration.'
The statement concluded: 'FIFA wishes to thank all those clubs
who have released their players for the competition and shown great
solidarity and Olympic spirit in doing so.'
