Fifa u-turn releases Welsh stars

Wales quintet 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.

Last night, the world game’s governing body said Wales boss Mark Hughes was within his rights to call up his squad on the Saturday evening prior to his country’s vital European Championship qualifier in Azerbaijan on November 20, ruling the five out of league games for Manchester United, Birmingham, Everton, Fulham and Celtic respectively.

However, 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.

And, because this month’s international date has been designated for friendlies, Wales cannot invoke the rule.