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KO for Messi & co

AFP, Beijing
Argentina ignited a major international football row on Wednesday by insisting superstar attacker Lionel Messi will make a controversial Olym-
pic Games debut.
Sergio Batista, the coach of the defending Olympic champions, placed himself firmly on a collision course with Messi's Barcelona employers who want the 21-year-old to play in a Champions League tie instead.
"The player is here and will remain with the team. He will start Thursday's game (against Ivory Coast in Shanghai) from the beginning and I'm sure he can be with us for the rest of the competition." said Batista.
The coach's defiant stand came just hours after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that clubs were not obliged to release players for the Olympics.
The Lausanne-based CAS's ruling also had major implications for Argentina's fellow South
American giants Brazil ahead of the start of Thursday's tournament, primarily an Under-23 event although teams can field over-age players.
Barcelona. Werder Bremen and Schalke had all been fighting to keep their young stars -- Argentina's
Messi and Brazil's Diego and Rafinha -- out of the Games, which clash with their own season after appealing an earlier ruling by FIFA which said players must be allowed to compete in Beijing.
Asked if the player will return to Spain in the light of the CAS ruling. Batista said: "Not at this time, no. 1 have spoken with him and he wants to stay here with the rest of the team.
"I hope this decision will not have any effects on other teams with players who are coming to this tournament. Every coach would want Messi in their team. Hopefully, Barcelona can take the decision that he stays here.”
Earlier. FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he was "surprised and disappointed by the decision, but we respect it".
He added: "Nevertheless, I appeal to the clubs: Let your players take part in the Olympic Gamps. 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 die game itself.
"FIFA's opinion has not changed. The Olympic football tournaments are high level competitions that give everyone involved - most notably young players - the chance to gain international experience that will stand them in good stead for the future.
"It stands to reason, therefore, that it is not only the player who
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