FIFA have released a statement saying: “In view of the importance of the Olympic Tournament for the entire sporting movement in general and football in particular, as well as on the basis of customary law, the release of players younger than 23 has always been mandatory for all clubs. For Beijing 2008 the same principle shall apply.

Clubs are not obligated to release players over the age of 23 - of which three are allowed per nation under Olympics rules - for the tournament.

“This is not a new position and the regulations have not changed.”

“Regarding the three players who are over 23 and selected by their member associations, the release of these players is not compulsory according to the FIFA regulations.

“However, the FIFA executive committee, during its meeting of 14 March, made an appeal to the solidarity of the clubs in order to release these players.”

I had lifted the rule from the link actually. It was first published from like almost two weeks ago. Regarding Diego’s case, it seemed that he was off to the airport to join his fellow Brazilian team-mates following talks with his club today. But then Diego had been a vital member of his club and the club could still challenge the fact that they are not obliged to release him for the Olympics. That is the sticky situation. By the way, he is 23 this year.

Diego’s team-mate on the Brazilian Olympic squad Schalke’s 22-year old Rafinha chose to walk out of the club on his own yesterday and didn’t join in the club’s pre-season training in Austria. Schalke had said that they will take action against him and the thing is, they also have the backing of the German FA (or the DFB) and the DFL (German Football League). Schalke, the DFB and the DFL are challenging on the fact that since it is not part of the FIFA’s international footballing schedule, the clubs have the final say in whether their players are allowed for the Olympics.

Mike, I have to agree with you. Together with the fact that Brazil has never won an Olympic gold medal yet and Dunga’s future as the national coach of Brazil (he is both the coach of the senior national team and the Olympic squad as well) is uncertain as the country is already struggling to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, some had said that an Olympic gold in Beijing next month will be the only thing to still keep him on the job. It’s precisely because of no gold medal to show for when it comes to Olympic football at the moment, the Olympic football tournament is also viewed equally important as the World Cup in Brazil.

Werder Bremen have dashed the Olympic hopes of Brazil playmaker Diego, telling the 23-year-old they will not release him and thus depriving the Games of perhaps one of the world’s most exciting young players…

http://www.soccershop.com

I wish they would make it a full senior side tournament. Hell, just take all the Confederations Cup qualifiers and make them the Olympic sides. Problem solved.

http://www.soccershop.com