Other Football

Schalke and Werder Bremen are to allow their Brazilian players to compete at the Beijing Olympics after all.

The u-turn comes after the clubs spent weeks battling FIFA's position that it was "mandatory" for clubs to release players aged 23 and under for the tournament, which begins in Beijing on Thursday.

Schalke defender Rafinha and Werder Bremen playmaker Diego are included in the Brazil squad.

Although CAS found against FIFA, ruling that clubs could not be forced to release players because the Olympics do not appear on the official FIFA calendar, the clubs consulted each other on Wednesday afternoon before issuing almost identical statements.

"We will release Rafinha to play at the Olympic Games if the Brazilian Football Association quickly create the conditions for his involvement", said Schalke club general manager Andreas Muller, with Werder's Klaus Allofs echoing those statements in regard to Diego.

Those conditions include the provision of adequate insurance against injury, and the clubs have already contacted the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to finalise the terms of a deal.

"This decision is in line with FIFA's appeal to allow the player to take part in the Olympics," Muller added. "We now expect the world governing body to support us in our talks with the CBF, particularly as what we are demanding is precisely what FIFA wishes to set down in its regulations in this matter."