With all the confusion surrounding the 2008 Olympics, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has released an official statement regarding club’s responsibilities to allow their under contract players that are under 23 years of age to join up with their respective National Teams.

Via FIFA.com

In its official statement, FIFA states that “the principle is that each team can field players until the age of 23. In addition, the teams that qualify for the final tournament have the right to include in their squad three players over the age of 23″. That said, the rights and obligations of the clubs with respect to these two categories are different. “

According to the FIFA regulations, the release of players who are over 23 is not compulsory. However, the FIFA Executive Committee, during its meeting of 14 March, made an appeal to the solidarity of the clubs in order to release these players.”

By contrast, there is no doubt about the release of players under the age of 23, which is obligatory, as indicated in the aforementioned official statement: “The release of players younger than 23 for the Olympic Football Tournament has been accepted by all clubs since 1992. For Beijing 2008, the same principle shall apply.”

Looks like Werder Bremen and Schalke 04 won’t have any recourse after this statement.  And now we know Messi will be in Beijing with Argentina.