Lionel Messi may face FIFA, IOC ban
Barcelona star Lionel Messi may be suspended from playing football if the club prevents him from participating in the Beijing Olympics.
The 21-year old's name has been included in the Argentinean Football Association's list of players but Barcelona has vowed to do everything in its power to prevent Messi from attending the Olympics.
The club says it will not allow Lionel Messi to play the Olympic Games so that he can play in the Champions League's third qualifying round on Aug. 12-13 and 26-27.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA have threatened to ban Messi from playing football for the duration of the Games if Barcelona fails to release him.
"FIFA has just reminded clubs that they must release their players," IOC president Jacques Rogge told Spain's Sport newspaper.
"The law indicates that if a team don't release a player, the footballer will be suspended during the period of the Games. That means that if the player doesn't go to Beijing, he won't be able to play for his club," he added.
Barcelona star Lionel Messi may be suspended from playing football if the club prevents him from participating in the Beijing Olympics.
The 21-year old's name has been included in the Argentinean Football Association's list of players but Barcelona has vowed to do everything in its power to prevent Messi from attending the Olympics.
The club says it will not allow Lionel Messi to play the Olympic Games so that he can play in the Champions League's third qualifying round on Aug. 12-13 and 26-27.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA have threatened to ban Messi from playing football for the duration of the Games if Barcelona fails to release him.
"FIFA has just reminded clubs that they must release their players," IOC president Jacques Rogge told Spain's Sport newspaper.
"The law indicates that if a team don't release a player, the footballer will be suspended during the period of the Games. That means that if the player doesn't go to Beijing, he won't be able to play for his club," he added.
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