UEFA to prohibit Chelsea's attempts to prevent Thibaut Courtois playing for Atletico Madrid in their Champions League ties UEFA has responded to reports that Atletico Madrid will have to pay a sizable sum in compensation to Chelsea if they wish to field Thibaut Courtois in the Champions League semi-final between the teams. Courtois is on loan with the Spanish club from Chelsea, and the teams were paired in Friday's draw in Nyon.
Media reports have suggested Chelsea and Atletico agreed a clause in the keeper's contract that the Madrid team would pay around £5m in compensation if the clubs clashed in European competition.
But
UEFA look certain to overturn Chelsea's attempts to prohibit the Belgium international taking part in a competitive match between the teams. A UEFA statement read: "In response to media reports referring to the situation of Club Atlético de Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, UEFA would like to reiterate its position.
"The integrity of sporting competition is a fundamental principle for UEFA.
"Both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations contain clear provisions which strictly forbid any club to exert, or attempt to exert, any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match.
"It follows that any provision in a private contract between clubs which might function in such a way as to influence who a club fields in a match is null, void and unenforceable so far as UEFA is concerned.
"Furthermore, any attempt to enforce such a provision would be a clear violation of both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations and would therefore be sanctioned accordingly." http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9259933/uefa-to-prohibit-chelseas-attempts-to-prevent-thibaut-courtois-playing-for-atletico-madrid-in-their-champions-league-ties UEFA statement on integrity of competitions Published: Friday 11 April 2014, 11.15CET
The integrity of sporting competition is a fundamental principle for UEFA and the competition and disciplinary regulations state clearly that clubs cannot influence others over the players they field.
In response to media reports referring to the situation of Club Atlético de Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, UEFA would like to reiterate its position.
The integrity of sporting competition is a fundamental principle for UEFA.
Both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations contain clear provisions which strictly forbid any club to exert, or attempt to exert, any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match.
It follows that any provision in a private contract between clubs which might function in such a way as to influence who a club fields in a match is null, void and unenforceable so far as UEFA is concerned.
Furthermore, any attempt to enforce such a provision would be a clear violation of both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations and would therefore be sanctioned accordingly.
http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=2088774.html [ ¦¹©«³Qù¤O¨È¦b2014-04-11 19:09«·s½s¿è ]