There's a big row going on in Germany right now over the clubs' obligations to release U23 players for the Olympic tournament next month.
Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen are both refusing their Brazilian U23 players (Rafinha, 22, and Diego, 23) to join the Brazilian squad in China, arguing they need them for the start of the Bundesliga and Champions League season, and that they're under no obligations to release them since the Olympics aren't in any FIFA international windows.
It's going to be interesting to see how FIFA react to all this, as it could set a precedent for subsequent tournaments.
Link:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=556359&sec=europe&cc=3436
Schalke 04 and Werder Bremen are both refusing their Brazilian U23 players (Rafinha, 22, and Diego, 23) to join the Brazilian squad in China, arguing they need them for the start of the Bundesliga and Champions League season, and that they're under no obligations to release them since the Olympics aren't in any FIFA international windows.
It's going to be interesting to see how FIFA react to all this, as it could set a precedent for subsequent tournaments.
Link:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=556359&sec=europe&cc=3436
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