BARCELONA appear ready to prevent Ronaldinho from playing for Brazil at the Olympics after insisting on Tuesday they expect the playmaker to report for pre-season training next week.
Ronaldinho was named as an overage player in Dunga's squad for the Olympics on Tuesday and has previously stated his desire to play in Beijing.
It was assumed, given Barcelona's revelation that they are open to offers for a player no longer in their plans, that they would not stop him from playing if he had not already been sold by the time the tournament begins in August.
However, a statement posted on Barcelona's website on Tuesday said the club expected the 28-year-old to report for training on Monday.
"FC Barcelona announce that Ronaldinho will be expected to report for training on the July 14," the statement said.
"The Olympics do not form part of the official FIFA calendar, and no official decision has ever been made in that respect, so the club is under no obligation to allow its player to travel.
"In recent weeks, technical secretary Txiki Beguiristain has reiterated that Barca's objective has always been to have as many players as possible ready in time for the Champions League qualifying games."
It was assumed, given Barcelona's revelation that they are open to offers for a player no longer in their plans, that they would not stop him from playing if he had not already been sold by the time the tournament begins in August.
However, a statement posted on Barcelona's website on Tuesday said the club expected the 28-year-old to report for training on Monday.
"FC Barcelona announce that Ronaldinho will be expected to report for training on the July 14," the statement said.
"The Olympics do not form part of the official FIFA calendar, and no official decision has ever been made in that respect, so the club is under no obligation to allow its player to travel.
"In recent weeks, technical secretary Txiki Beguiristain has reiterated that Barca's objective has always been to have as many players as possible ready in time for the Champions League qualifying games."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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