FIFA prez says clubs lack Olympic spirit

ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Wednesday that clubs were going against the Olympic spirit in trying to stop their players from going to Beijing. "It would appear to be against the spirit of the Olympic regulations to hinder players under the age of 23, who are actually the core of the squads participating in the men's Olympic football tournament, to take part in the final phase of the event," Blatter said in a letter to the 205 member associations of soccer's world governing body. "The release of players below the age of 23 (for the Olympics) has always been mandatory for all clubs. The same principle shall apply for Beijing 2008," he said, urging national associations to inform their clubs of the rule. Blatter spoke out as German clubs Schalke and Werder Bremen prepare to step up their fight... [read full story]