Booking Travel

Brazilians ruled out of Al Ittihad squad

December 12th, 2005

TOKYO (AP) - Asian champion Al Ittihad had three Brazilian recruits ruled out of soccer’s world club championships on a registration technicality on the eve of its opener against Al Ahly.

Adding spice to the ruling by FIFA on Saturday, the decision was made after a complaint from Al Ahly.

Pedro Paulo, Marco Alberto Skavinki and Aparecido Lima were deemed ineligible because they weren’t registered by Al Ittihad during either of the two designated registration periods fixed by the Saudi Arabia national federation.

“It’s a problem for us,” said Al Ittihad coach Anghel Iordanescu. “We’re not comfortable with it.

“When I found out the news I was nervous, but now I’m calm, I’m well and I hope I’ll be the same tomorrow after the game.”

Mahomoud El-Khatib, vice president of Al Ahly, raised the eligibility issue on Tuesday and made a formal complaint to FIFA and tournament organizers.

Manuel Jose, coach of the African club champions, said he didn’t expect any extra animosity from the Al Ittihad players Sunday because there was too much at stake in the match.

The winner advances to a semifinal against South American champion Sao Paulo of Brazil.

“We’re players and coaches, we don’t get involved in the bureaucratic decisions,” he said. “This match is like a qualifying match - we win and we’re in the semis, we lose and we’re playing for fifth place. We must win.”

From an original roster of 23 players, Iordanescu has only 18 available because two were already on suspension before the Brazilians were ruled out.

“For us it’s not an easy decision. When the players heard, they were a little bit down psychologically. But I hope our players prove on the field their character and show the spirit of Al Ittihad,” he said.

A FIFA panel led by Viacheslav Koloskov of Russia decided that although all three Brazilians were registered on Nov. 11, before the tournament deadline, the registrations were made outside the fixed two-month periods for transfers or registrations.

And there’s no avenue for the Saudi club to appeal, or make replacements.

The three Brazilians watched from the sidelines at Al Ittihad’s practice session on Saturday night.

Joining them were Cameroon international forward Joseph-Desire Job - on loan from Middlesbrough - who can’t play because he picked up a red card in the Asian Champions League final and Osama Al Harbi, who was suspended by the Saudi federation for an incident after an Arab Cup match.

Sao Paulo midfielder Souza didn’t have any sympathy for his compatriots who were ejected from the tournament.

“Anything that weakens a prospective rival for us is good for us, isn’t it?” said Souza, speaking through a translator. “The rules are rules. It’s an issue today but this is a big, important tournament so it won’t overshadow the matches.”

While the Al Ittihad vs. Al Ahly match features the Asian and African club continental champions, it’s also a showcase for Arab soccer.

“We’re neighbors, speak the same language - this is good for Arab football. The world will be watching,” said Jose.

“It’s especially important for us because Egypt is not going to be in the (next) World Cup. It’s fantastic for us to be here.”

Al Ahly is on a 55-match unbeaten streak.

The relaunched world club championship features the continental club competition winners of Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania, South America, and Central and North America.

European champion Liverpool arrives Monday and, like Sao Paulo, enters the competition at the semifinal stage.

Liverpool will play the winner of Monday’s match between Sydney FC and Costa Rica’s Deportivo Saprissa.

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Entry Filed under: WorldCup2006