Johannesburg – World football governing body Fifa introduced the rule that junior Under-23 national teams taking part in the Olympic Games could include three overage players in their squads, if they so wish.
The decision was taken at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.
Unfortunately, over the years, the rule has come to bite and, in some instances, scupper preparations and plans of Under-23 national team coaches that choose top players, particularly those plying their trade at top European clubs, to be in their Olympic teams.
The overage player rule has generated much controversy since it was introduced. What many people don’t know is that football was first introduced to be Olympic tournament before the much-vaunted World Cup.
In 1900 and 1904, Olympics football was introduced as an exhibition sport and became the fi rst team sport included at the Games. Since 1908, football has been part of the Olympics with the exception of the 1932 Los Angeles Games.
The World Cup was organised for the first time afterward, in Uruguay in 1930, and was largely the result of the success of the Olympic tournament. But before the introduction of the overaged players rules, the tournament was contested solely by the junior under-23 players.
What is more troubling with this rule is that clubs have the
option to refuse to release players selected by their national teams for the Olympics.
What is the logic of a rule giving club coaches the latitude to decide whether or not to release players?
A case in point is that of Brighton & Hove Albion midfield maestro Percy Tau, whose manager Graham Potter at his English Premier League club has refused to release him to join SA Olympic coach David Notoane’s side, set to jet out to the postponed Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, in two weeks’ time.
It is a huge blow for Notoane, who was pinning his hopes on having Tau in his team to face the host national team Japan, Mexico and France in a tough and tricky Group A of the Olympic finals.
Football at the Olympics is scheduled to start on July 22.
Coaches, Notoane included, and the junior players are favourable to the idea of rubbing shoulders and playing with their “role models”. Tau, 27, made just one appearance for Brighton last season.
Midfield genius Tau was signed for £2.7-million (R53-million) by Brighton from PSL champions Downs in 2018 and had a successful loan spell in Belgium with Union SG, Club Brugge and Anderlecht.
Also troubling is the change of heart on the part of Potter, as he had initially given Tau the thumbs up to join the SA team.
Notoane will surely miss his services at Olympics.
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