German football boss sees UEFA trend to quit Olympics

Aug 19, 2009, 14:44 GMT

Frankfurt - Some officials within European organizing body UEFA would like to see men's football withdraw completely from the Olympic Games, according to German football federation president Theo Zwanziger.

Zwanziger was quoted by Germany's Sport Bild Wednesday as saying there were 'currents within UEFA' supporting a pull-out from the Games.

Europe's top leagues do not want to release their players for the Olympics which usually coincide with the start of the football season.

Zwanziger, who was elected earlier this year onto the UEFA executive committee, said more than what had been suggested by FIFA president Joseph Blatter - an under-21 tournament without three older players - would 'hardly be possible.'

Although some within UEFA wanted football out of the Games altogether, others supported participation if the age limit were lowered and clubs were obliged by FIFA to release players.

   The 2008 Beijing Games led to a number of club-player disputes, with European clubs complaining that stars such as Argentina's Lionel Messi played when the season had started or was about to start.

Since 1992, the tournament has been an under-23 tournament, with three older players allowed on each team.

   In an interview this week with German Press Agency dpa International Olympic Committeee president Jacques Rogge insisted the IOC wanted to keep the current format and did not want a change to an under-21 event.

Rogge also said FIFA must finally make up its mind about the future format of the men's Olympic tournament.

   He said said FIFA and Blatter were changing their views too many times and that time was running out to find a solution for the 2012 London Games and beyond.

   'The situation is changing according to the week. So we said very clearly to FIFA: 'Make up your mind, please, gentleman,'' Rogge said.

   But Rogge also said that he did not plan any kind of ultimatum and that the IOC and FIFA aimed to solve the issue by the end of the year.