HONG KONG, Aug 1: FIFA’s decision to make it mandatory for clubs to release players aged 23 or under for the Olympics has been welcomed by players preparing to compete at the Beijing Games.

Representatives of four of the 16 teams that have qualified for the men’s tournament in Beijing and are playing a warmup event in Hong Kong, were unanimous in their support for the sport’s world governing body.

United States midfielder Freddy Adu, who plays for French club Monaco, said players regarded the Olympics as a career highlight.

“Most of the players, I’d say about 99.9 per cent, want to go to the Olympics. This is a big, big, big deal,” Adu told a news conference on Friday.

“Guys want to go but they’re just being held back by their clubs. They’re important for their clubs and you can understand it but I think it’s a great rule that they have to be released.”

American goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who is to join English club Aston Villa next season, said he also regarded the Olympics as the pinnacle.

“The Olympics is an opportunity to be on the world stage, it’s a huge event and everyone wants to be a part of it,” he said.

“I can understand why the clubs want to do everything to keep their players but for the players, I just think it’s a great tournament to be a part of.”

The issue of whether players should be released for the Olympics has been thrust back into the spotlight after several European clubs tried to ban their players from competing.

FIFA ordered the clubs to release the players but two German Bundesliga sides, Werder Bremen and Schalke 04, have challenged the ruling in the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Netherlands midfielder Urby Emanuelson said he was fortunate that his club backed his decision to make himself available for Beijing.

“I know a lot of younger players had problems with their clubs about going to the Olympics but my club Ajax didn’t make any problems,” he said.

Ivory Coast striker Salomon Kalou, who plays for Chelsea, said he was also given the blessing of the London club.

“I didn’t have any problems, they understood that it was very important for me to play in this tournament,” Kalou said.

Kalou said he believed the experience of playing in the Olympics would greatly benefit him and other players who will be freed up by the ruling.

“For me, this is a great competition, and to let young players play is a great move from FIFA,” Kalou said.—Reuters