Beijing Olympic Games

Messi belongs in Beijing, says Argentina coach

TOKYO, July 30 (Reuters) - Argentina’s Olympic soccer coach Sergio Batista has pleaded for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi to be released for next month’s Beijing Games.

Soccer’s world governing body FIFA has delayed its decision on the release of players for Beijing but Batista is hopeful of having Messi available.

“It is the dream of every player dreams to play in the Olympics,” Batista told reporters after Tuesday’s warm-up match against Japan.

“The players expect Messi to join the team. But it’s not a question of the player’s will alone so we have to wait for FIFA’s decision.

“Messi is in contact with the team and wants to help the team. He is part of this team so we hope for a good outcome.”

A judge has been asked to decide if FIFA is correct in saying that clubs must release under-23 players who are called up to their national Olympic squads for the Aug. 8-24 Games.

Barcelona are among several top European clubs who have challenged FIFA’s interpretation, arguing that the Olympics are not included on the international match calendar.

Barca president Joan Laporta threatened to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if FIFA order them to release Messi for the Olympics.

Argentina, who won soccer gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics, beat Japan 1-0 in a game abandoned after 83 minutes following a flash storm in Tokyo.

Batista’s side face Ivory Coast, Serbia and Australia in Group A in Beijing.

(Reporting by Alastair Himmer; Editing by Ed Osmond) (For more stories visit our multimedia website “Road to Beijing” at http://www.reuters.com/news/sports/2008olympics ; and see our blog at http://blogs.reuters.com/china )