FIFA U-turn releases Welsh stars to clubs

Wales quintet Ryan Giggs, Robbie Savage, Mark Pembridge, Andy Melville and John Hartson have been cleared to play for their clubs…

Wales quintet Ryan Giggs, Robbie Savage, Mark Pembridge, Andy Melville and John Hartson have been cleared to play for their clubs on November 17th after FIFA performed a U-turn on their controversial four-day rule.

The world game's governing body said Wales boss Mark Hughes was within his rights to call up his squad on the Saturday evening prior to his country's vital European Championship qualifier in Azerbaijan on November 20th.

That would have ruled the five out of league games for their respective clubs.

However, a FIFA spokesman today confirmed an amendment had been incorporated into existing statutes, declaring that on "non-competitive" match-days, players could only be called to duty 48 hours in advance.

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Therefore, because this month's international date has been designated for friendlies, Wales cannot invoke the rule.

A FIFA spokesman said: "Four days is the general rule but as this is only a day for friendly internationals, it becomes 48 hours. We issued a letter to Birmingham last night to clarify the situation and apologise for any confusion which has arisen over the issue".

Hughes had thought he was within his rights to take a hard-line stance because the game is "competitive". He wanted his players to meet in Cardiff on Saturday evening, the day before Giggs was due to turn out for the Old Trafford club at West Ham, Pembridge plays for Everton at Blackburn and Birmingham's Savage and Fulham's Melville come face to face at St Andrews.

In addition, Hartson would also have been ruled out of the Hoops' SPL clash with Glasgow rivals Partick, which has been put back 24 hours because of his club's UEFA Cup commitments the previous week.

PA