Giggs against West Ham

redinsyd

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There are two conflicting stories in soccernet this morning, one saying that FIFA is backing the clubs and the other saying that FIFA backs Wales!

<a href="http://www.soccernet.com/england/news/2002/1105/20021105bcfcsavage.html" target="_blank">FIFA backs clubs</a>

<a href="http://www.soccernet.com/europe/news/2002/1104/20021104walesfifa.html" target="_blank">FIFA backs Wales</a>

<img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" />
 
Wales suffer as Fifa move goalposts

Staff and agencies
Tuesday November 5, 2002

Wales internationals Ryan Giggs, Robbie Savage, Mark Pembridge, Andy Melville and John Hartson have been cleared to play for their clubs on November 17 after Fifa performed a u-turn on their controversial four-day rule.
Fifa had insisted that Wales boss Mark Hughes was within his rights to call up his squad on the Saturday evening prior to his country's Euro 2004 qualifier in Azerbaijan on November 20, ruling the players out of league games for Manchester United, Birmingham, Everton, Fulham and Celtic respectively.

But a Fifa spokesman today confirmed that an amendment had been incorporated into existing statutes, declaring that on "non-competitive" match-days, players could only be called to duty 48 hours in advance.

"Four days is the general rule but as this is only a day for friendly internationals, it becomes 48 hours," a Fifa spokesman said. "We issued a letter to Birmingham last night to clarify the situation and apologise for any confusion which has arisen over the issue."

In English, Fifa's statement means that Hughes must now wait until November 18, the day his team are supposed to embark on their lengthy journey to Baku, to call up his players - and all because their qualifying tie is being played a date fixed for friendly matches.

The news was greeted with relief by Birmingham City chairman David Gold, who admitted he was: "absolutely thrilled".

"It is great that common-sense has prevailed and it is great news for Birmingham City because we know what an influence that Robbie Savage has been," he said.

"Let's make it clear, we want to help Wales all we can and I hope that they get to the Euro finals and we will help anyway that is possible.

"But this is about there being a relationship between clubs and country, not a war. We will do all we can to assist but wanted them to show a bit of leeway as well."

The decision won't go down as well with Hughes, however. The Wales manager has transformed his country's fortunes in recent times, securing victories in Finland and against Italy at the Millennium Stadium last month which have raised hopes of qualification for a major tournament for the first time since 1958.

Hughes had thought he was within his rights to take a hard-line stance because the game is 'competitive'.
 
Originally posted by redinsyd:
<strong>There are two conflicting stories in soccernet this morning, one saying that FIFA is backing the clubs and the other saying that FIFA backs Wales!

<a href="http://www.soccernet.com/england/news/2002/1105/20021105bcfcsavage.html" target="_blank">FIFA backs clubs</a>

<a href="http://www.soccernet.com/europe/news/2002/1104/20021104walesfifa.html" target="_blank">FIFA backs Wales</a>

<img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

Beeb says FIFA backs the clubs


<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/wales/2404257.stm" target="_blank">BBC</a>

Wassocks! <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" />
Click to expand...
 
Looks like the clubs have won.

Which is dumb as there should not have been a battle anyway. The matches are 4 days apart, there should not be a rule prevented players from playing in both.
 
Originally posted by Amir:
<strong>Looks like the clubs have won.

Which is dumb as there should not have been a battle anyway. The matches are 4 days apart, there should not be a rule prevented players from playing in both.</strong><hr></blockquote>

It takes a long time to get to Azerbaijan...
Click to expand...
 
There was an article at United's website that stated that FIFA has intervened and Giggs will be able to play against West Ham. Supposedly there is an amendement to the four day rule saying that it applies to non-competitive match days. Anyways here is the article:

<a href="http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=23904" target="_blank">http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=23904</a>

Another article from BBC online:
<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/wales/2404257.stm" target="_blank">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/wales/2404257.stm</a>
 
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