Barca appeal against Messi ruling

Updated 15.12 Sat Aug 02 2008
Keywords: Court of Arbitration for Sport, Barcelona, Lionel Messi

Barcelona have appealed against Fifa's decision to order them to let Lionel Messi play at the Olympics.

Football's world governing body said last week that clubs must release players aged under 23 who have been selected to play for their national teams at the Beijing Games.

Barcelona want Messi to be available for their Champions League third qualifying round clash against Beitar Jerusalem or Wisla Krakow on August 12 or 13

But the Spanish giants have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to avoid having to release the Argentinian player.

The CAS said the appeal will be handled at the same time as those made by German clubs Werder Bremen and Schalke 04 and the ruling will be delivered on or before August 6 - two days before the Games begin.

Argentina have been grouped with Ivory Coast, Australia and Serbia in the preliminary round in Beijing.

Barcelona want Messi to be available for their Champions League third qualifying round clash against Beitar Jerusalem or Wisla Krakow on August 12 or 13.

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