FIFA have confirmed Liverpool CAN block Mo Salah from taking part in the Tokyo Olympics.
Egypt Under-23s head coach Shawky Gharib revealed he plans to select the Liverpool superstar as one of this three over-age players for the tournament that runs from the end of July into the first two weeks of August.
Jurgen Klopp is keen to hold on to Mo Salah for pre-season – and Liverpool can stop him going to the OlympicsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
But Jurgen Klopp has been told by Fifa that he is allowed to prevent Salah from flying to Japan and missing the final pre-season preparations and the start of next term.
Liverpool have to release Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita to play in January’s African Cup Of Nations if they are selected, meaning he could be without a trio of stars for up to six weeks.
If Liverpool prevented the players from travelling, they would not be allowed to play for the Anfield outfit from the start of their preparation camp until their nation’s interest in the tournament was over.
But the Fifa release rules do not apply for the Olympics as they are not an official part of the world governing body’s schedule list.
A spokesperson told SunSport: “The men’s Olympic Football Tournament, as well as all FIFA competitions with age restrictions, are not included in the men’s international match calendar 2018-2024, and thus clubs are not under the obligation to release players for the competition.”
Gharib included the player in his initial 50-man provisional list and insisted he wanted Salah because he is “simply one of the top three players in the world”.
Salah is a national idol in Egypt and would be under huge pressure to play for his country on the Olympic stage.
But Gharib conceded he need to have talks with both Liverpool and his star man.
Anfield boss Klopp admitted today he needed more information from Salah and Egypt but conceded he would be reluctant to see one of his key assets missing the pre-season countdown.
Klopp said: “Do I want to lose a player in pre-season? Of course not. That’s clear,” said Liverpool boss Klopp.
“But we have to consider different things. I will speak with Mo and all that stuff.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
