Tuesday, February 12, 2008
AC MILAN, Not Keen On Olympian Kaka
Although the Olympics conclude before the start of the 08/09 Serie A season, the Rossoneri not only want for their Brazilian superstar to get some much needed rest - especially considering his well documented knee problems- but chances are that he will also be needed to secure qualification to the Champions League proper. Milan will need to go through a preliminary phase if they finish outside of the top two this season, which considering that they trail Roma by 12 points is looking like a certainty.
"The competition comes at a time when teams face the preliminary round of the Champions League, which represents a major percentage of the club's finances," commented AC Milan and Brazil legend Leonardo, who is now general secretary of the Milan Foundation.
"If Kaka is named to play the Olympics, he would not be able to play two very important games for Milan if we finish the current Serie A season in third or fourth place."
Leonardo refused to confirm whether Milan would go as far as blocking the player from participating in the tournament, but suggested that the Italian giants would make things difficult.
"It has nothing to do with saying, 'Milan do or do not release a player," Leonardo added.
"There are regulations we follow to release players or not. The Olympic Games are not organised by FIFA but by the Olympic Committees."
AC MILAN, Not Keen On Olympian Kaka
Although the Olympics conclude before the start of the 08/09 Serie A season, the Rossoneri not only want for their Brazilian superstar to get some much needed rest - especially considering his well documented knee problems- but chances are that he will also be needed to secure qualification to the Champions League proper. Milan will need to go through a preliminary phase if they finish outside of the top two this season, which considering that they trail Roma by 12 points is looking like a certainty.
"The competition comes at a time when teams face the preliminary round of the Champions League, which represents a major percentage of the club's finances," commented AC Milan and Brazil legend Leonardo, who is now general secretary of the Milan Foundation.
"If Kaka is named to play the Olympics, he would not be able to play two very important games for Milan if we finish the current Serie A season in third or fourth place."
Leonardo refused to confirm whether Milan would go as far as blocking the player from participating in the tournament, but suggested that the Italian giants would make things difficult.
"It has nothing to do with saying, 'Milan do or do not release a player," Leonardo added.
"There are regulations we follow to release players or not. The Olympic Games are not organised by FIFA but by the Olympic Committees."
