The ruling, which was issued Wednesday, Aug.
6, overturns a decision at the end of July by FIFA, soccer's world governing authority, requiring teams to released under-23 players to join their national sides in Beijing. The three most prominent players affected are Lionel Messi of Barcelona, Werder Bremen playmaker Diego and Schalke defender Rafinha.
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But the court also issued a statement calling upon "the good will and good sense of FIFA and the clubs to find a reasonable solution with regard to players who wish to represent their country at the Olympic Games."
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Things have been tense at Bremen since Diego's unexpected departure The Olympic soccer competition coincides with the start of the German Bundesliga season and the qualifying round for the Champions League, in which both Schalke and Barcelona face crucial matches.
Messi joined the Argentinean side in Beijing after the July FIFA ruling. Diego and Rafinha, more controversially, simply went AWOL from their respective clubs' pre-season preparations to hook up with the Brazilian national team.
Now all three could be heading back to their European employers.
Can they stay or must they go
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Schalke need Rafinha, left, in the Champions League FIFA, whose initial dithering contributed to the confusion surrounding the clubs' rights and responsibilities, said it was disappointed by the decision and appealed to the teams.
"I appeal to the clubs: 'Let your players take part in the Olympic Games,'" said FIFA President Sepp Blatter. "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."
Schalke and Bremen announced via their Web sites that they would be conferring internally and with each other. They're expected to issue statements about whether or not they will recall Diego and Rafinha Wednesday.
The first round of the German Cup begins this weekend, while the 2008-9 Bundesliga season commences in nine days.
(Deutsche Welle)
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