[h=1]FIFA ruling means Celtic must release James Forrest and Adam Matthews for Team GB[/h] CELTIC will be forced to release James Forrest and Adam Matthews for the Olympics if they are called up for Team GB. FIFA have ruled that clubs must let their Under-23 stars take part if selected for the Games. So that means Celts would have to let Scotland winger Forrest and Welsh full-back Matthews, both 20, play in London. But the ruling doesnât apply to the three over-age players in Stuart Pearceâs squad so the Hoops wouldnât be forced to release Scott Brown. Rangers also wouldnât have to let Allan McGregor, Steven Naismith, Steven Whittaker or Steven Davis take part while Wolves could keep hold of Scotland striker Steven Fletcher. FIFA issued a statement that read: âThe executive have decided that the release of Under-23 players for the Olympics will be compulsory.â Barcelona went to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in 2008 to block Lionel Messiâs release for Argentina. The Catalans won their case â although they then let Messi take part in Beijing anyway. But FIFA believe it only went against them because they did not make it clear early enough that the release was compulsory.
Strange one FIFA ruling on this all things considered. This along with the ruling from FIFA then the CAS that the FAI can pick players from all over Ireland the first step on the road to single GB team and a single Ireland team being imposed?
Once again Celtic will be the only club in Scotland carry the can. Rangers will have previously lost their players who may be wanted. It is nothing new Harry, if it isn't the bastar. referees, its the Scottish knobs in suits, now its the bloody Olympians . However thank God we still have good young players at the club wanted in these games. What about some of our foreign young players, will any of them be wanted for their Countries?
