Bremen reject Blatter's statement

Werder Bremen are persisting in their bid to have playmaker Diego released from the Brazil Olympic squad despite FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Wednesday reiterating doing so ignores the ethics of the Olympic movement.

Blatter wrote to all FIFA’s member associations around the world to remind them of their obligation in releasing players aged 23 and under for the Games. Diego is 23.

“The release of players below the age of 23 has always been mandatory for all clubs. The same principle shall apply for Beijing 2008,” Blatter wrote

However, Bremen maintain there is no legal requirement for them to release their players, and they have once again received the backing of the German Football Association (DFB) and German Football League (DFL).

“As in previous publications from FIFA, Blatter is founding his comments on common law and the particular character of the Olympic Games,” said Bremen’s director of sport Klaus Allofs.

“According to the view of our associations the DFB and the DFL, this release has no (legally) binding nature.”

The Bundesliga side will now seek a swift resolution from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), as advised by the DFL.

“The DFL and DFB are in agreement that the publication by FIFA contains no new content and our view of the rules remains unaltered,” commented DFL deputy president Holger Hieronymus.

“We recommend that the clubs, if their attempts to deal with the national associations or the appropriate FIFA committee remain unsuccessful or unanswered, to call the CAS directly.”

Diego and Schalke’s Rafinha, 22, both left their clubs to answer the call of the national team earlier this week.

Earlier on Wednesday, Diego described his decision to leave without his club’s permission as “one of the most difficult” of his career.

Diego flew to Paris to join the rest of the squad on Tuesday evening, having held talks with club officials throughout the morning.

Werder later revealed they had not given permission for Diego to join his international team-mates, and the player admitted it was not an easy decision to make.

“We actually had a very good discussion with the management of Werder and as much as they showed their understanding for my dream, I showed a lot of understanding for the fact they consider me a very valuable member of their team,” Diego told Eurosport.de.

“It became clear to me, though, that neither side was going to back down and that it would not be an easy situation.”

Diego revealed his fear of jeopardising his international future was a factor in his decision to ignore his club’s wishes.

He added: “I was under a lot of pressure since I knew that my future in the Brazil national team could be in danger if I did not travel to the Olympics.

“That would have made me very unhappy and could not be Werder’s aim at all. I just hope that all fans, particularly those of Werder, can understand me at least a little.

“I hope that I am not only celebrating winning an Olympic medal this season but also want many titles so that this difficult day can soon be put behind me and the positive aspects can return to the fore.

“Today was certainly one of the most difficult days of my career.”