Making the Right Choice

The unseemly scuffle between Barcellona (along with Werder Bremen and Schalke 04) and the International Olympic Committee about whether to release or not their players for the Olympic tournament has finally reached a conclusion, even if a bizarre one.

Finally told that Leo Messi, Diego and Rafinha could return to their clubs, the same players still played in their country’s opening game and appear set to stay till the very end. A conclusion which makes you wonder why the clubs went into all that trouble in the first place.

That reaction to having key players flown out to China in the middle of a critical part of the season greatly contrasts Liverpool’s stance, where no attempts were made to hold back either one of Ryan Babel, Lucas Leiva and Javier Mascherano. The only exception was made for Babel but even in that case it was motivated by the desire to ensure that he had fully recovered from his injury rather than to prevent him from joining up with the Dutch team.

Of course Liverpool weren’t the only ones to take such a stance. Lazio, for instance, were more than happy to release Tommaso Rocchi as were Feyenoord with Roy Makaay. Yet they were going to play for their club’s country Italy and Holland so that decision was significantly easier to make than Liverpool’s who had, at face value, nothing to gain by accepting.

That, naturally, isn’t the case. Benitez took the reasonable stand and spoke to each player about their desire. Had any one of them expressed a reluctance to go to China then most probably Liverpool would have kicked up a fuss just like Barcelona did.

However that wasn’t the case. All were eager to take their chance at Olympic glory, particularly Mascherano who is looking to win his second gold medal at these games.

And therein lies the reason for Benitez’s decision. Sure, he would have preferred to have the players with him but he also realized that had he forced them into staying, he would have drained each one of his motivation. Let them go without too any trouble and they will come back more determined than ever to do well for you.

Obviously, it is a risky strategy. Few people will be hailing Benitez for his fair play if the lack of players sees Liverpool drop early points in the Premier league or if one of those players returns with an injury. Yet it is a risk that the manager was willing to take. That is why there is a squad of players and, judging from pre-season, the extra opportunities that he has been able to afford the club’s youngsters hasn’t done them any harm.

All of which does not absolve FIFA and the International Olympic Committee. Apart from doubts as to whether the Olympics really do need a strong football tournament, the rules as they are make little sense. The three over-age players ruling is a bizarre one that adds little to the tournament’s balance.

Both organizing bodies have to realise that as it stands the tournament will come under increasing pressure from the clubs who will argue that it is not one within the sport’s calendar and therefore not one for which they are willing to let their players go.

Limiting it to players under twenty three years of age would be a good start, and restricting it to those who are yet to be twenty probably the ultimate solution.