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 30 August 2008 18:06 BST

Milan will allow Ronaldinho to play at Olympics

Wednesday, 16 Jul 2008 22:34
Ronaldinho will be allowed to play in Beijing
AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has said the Italian club will allow new signing Ronaldinho to compete at the Beijing Olympics.

The forward had been called into the Brazil squad for the tournament as one of three over-age players allowed in the Olympic rules.

Brazil coach Dunga had named Ronaldinho in his squad before his impending transfer to Milan but Galliani says he will not stop the 28-year-old from competing at the games.

He said: "We respect the commitment he made prior to his transfer to Milan, if he had already been a Rossonero he wouldn't have gone but he will be ours in a week and so we will let him go to the Olympics."

Football teams in the Olympics are mostly made up of players under 23 years old, with up to three over-age players allowed.

It is rare that the top sides allow their over-age players leave before the start of the season. Fifa rules dictate they have the right to retain their services because the Olympics is not an officially sanctioned event.

However, Milan head coach Carlo Ancelotti feels the tournament could benefit Ronaldinho as the forward has been out with a leg injury since April and is short of match fitness.

Ancelotti said: "It will be a chance for him to find his condition. When he comes back he will be ready, and there will only be some time necessary for him to become part of the [club's] mechanisms."

Real Madrid's Robinho is another over-age player in Brazil's squad for the tournament and he will be joined by Manchester United midfielder Anderson and Manchester City striker Jo who are both under the age limit. End of story


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